Microfluidic biosensors for biotic and abiotic plant stress monitoring

Agricultural production is crucial to many economies but is increasingly threatened by biotic and abiotic stresses, which are exacerbated by climate change. Conventional methods for detecting these stresses rely on routine sample retrieval and laboratory analysis, which are time-consuming, expensive, and dependent on specialized equipment and personnel. To address these challenges, we propose the development of a miniaturized analytical device for early, infield detection of plant stresses. Specifically, we focus on abiotic stress, such as drought, and biotic stress, such as infections by microorganisms, both of which significantly impact crop yields and post-harvest quality. Our approach integrates microfluidic assays targeting key biomarkers such as abscisic acid and salicylic acid — plant hormones that signal drought stress and microbial infections, respectively— as well as genomic assays based on isothermal nucleic acid amplification for identifying Botrytis cinerea fungal infections. The goal is to develop a portable, microfluidic-based point-of-use device for early detection of plant stress, promoting more efficient and sustainable agricultural management while reducing pesticide dependence and environmental impact.