Thermographic Study of Plant Response to Excessive Light

Thermal imaging as a highly sensitive technique was used to study a rapid response of plants to excessive light associated with stomatal movement. This response was monitored according to time-dependent changes in temperature over the leaf blades of plants exposed to photosynthetically active radiation. Two model organisms, Thellungiella salsuginea and Arabidopsis thaliana, which served as a control, were tested. A decreased stomata size in Thellungiella salsuginea resulted in an increased rosette temperature which was noticeable on the time-series thermograms as compared to controls. A primary response of plants to light revealed an exponential increase in the temperature time courses and resulted in a reduced thermal rise time for Thellungiella salsuginea relative to Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. The study evaluates the use of thermal imaging to analyse stomatal aperture. This non-invasive method, in particular the evaluation of thermal kinetics and analysis of thermal time constants, can be useful for monitoring the initial response of plants to excess irradiation.

Automated summary

Thermal imaging was used to study plants' rapid response to excessive light and stomatal movement. Temperature changes over time on leaf blades revealed that Thellungiella salsuginea had a smaller stomata size and higher temperature compared to controls. The study suggests that thermal imaging is useful for analyzing stomatal aperture and monitoring plants' initial response to excess irradiation.