Optical Properties of Plants Reflect Ozone-Induced Damage

2025.12.16

Research

Environmental pollutants such as ozone can damage the internal structure of plants and impair their growth and productivity. Conventional assessments requiring sample processing may not accurately reflect internal damage. A new study highlights the application of a novel ‘optical coherence tomography’ scanner for the non-invasive temporal assessment of live plants exposed to ozone. The technique can aid the timely detection of deficiencies and stress-induced damage, thereby supporting better plant management and improving crop productivity.  

  •  Effect of ozone exposure as an environmental stress on the internal structure of white clover leaves

    Researchers develop a novel optical coherence tomography scanner that can non-invasively measure changes in the optical properties of leaves exposed to environmental pollutants and reflect stress-induced internal damage
    Image credit & source link: Dr. Tatsuo Shiina, Chiba University, Japan
    https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-22104-0