In 2021, the Iowa Soybean Research Center (ISRC) at Iowa State University funded research led by Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Liang Dong titled “Low-cost multimodal sensor arrays for early detection of soybean diseases.” The project included collaboration with Professor of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology Steve Whitham. The goal of the research was to develop sensors for low-cost monitoring and early detection of plant diseases. The following outcomes were described in a final project report to the ISRC in October 2024.

Dong successfully developed a series of attachable plant sensors designed to monitor critical plant health indicators, which included reactive oxygen species, viruses, and pesticides. Creating sensors that detect disease before symptoms occur can alert farmers to potential problems and allow for the implementation of management practices to reduce disease spread.

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  The reactive oxygen species sensor utilizes a sensitive biohydrogel material to measure hydrogen peroxide, which is a key marker of stress in soybean plants. Producing results in less than three minutes, the sensor enables rapid and efficient stress assessment.

• The virus sensor identifies the presence of bean pod mottle virus in soybeans using specialized nanocavities that selectively bind virus particles. This sensor delivers accurate results in under two minutes, facilitating rapid detection of the plant virus. 
• The pesticide sensor monitors dicamba herbicide absorption by soybean plants and herbicide residue on leaf surfaces. This technology provides real-time insights into herbicide uptake and waste, aiding in optimized herbicide use.

Together, the sensors offer a suite of portable, fast, and efficient tools for tracking plant health, enabling better stress management and integrated pest management strategies for soybeans.

According to Dong, the project included discovering how nanomaterials, microsystems and transducer technologies can be combined to create sensitive and selective sensors capable of detecting chemical and biological changes in plants. “The research demonstrates the ability to monitor plant responses under biotic stress, virus infection and herbicide absorption, providing insights into plant physiology beyond traditional measurements,” said Dong. “Practical applications of this research include the ability for farmers and agricultural industries to use these sensors for on-site, rapid and cost-effective monitoring of plant status.” 

Dong added that the new knowledge and technology created in the project “have the potential to significantly impact the agricultural industry and farmers by improving crop management, reducing chemical inputs and promoting more sustainable farming practices.”

This project recently was selected to receive additional funding from USDA-NIFA. The final report of work accomplished with ISRC funds is available on the ISRC website.