Optical sensing of materials movements occurring at a plant surface with a probe beam

Optical sensing of materials movements across a plant surface with a probe beam is reported. It is based on monitoring of deflection of a probe beam passing through a vicinity of the plant surface. The deflection of the probe beam was caused by concentration gradients of chemical species involved in the materials moments in physiological activities of the plant. Typha angustifolia L. was used as a model plant. The beam deflection at different locations of both leaves and roots in respiration process were monitored and compared. It is found that deflection signals changed with time and locations. Experimental results showed that the beam deflection method could be used for noninvasive sensing and monitoring of materials movements across the plant surface.