Open Access“Wax On, Wax Off”: In Vivo Imaging of Plant Physiology and Disease with Fourier Transform Infrared Reflectance Microspectroscopy
Author(s) -
Khambatta Karina,
Hollings Ashley,
Sauzier Georgina,
Sanglard Lilian M. V. P.,
Klein Annaleise R.,
Tobin Mark J.,
Vongsvivut Jitraporn,
Gibberd Mark R.,
Payne Alan D.,
Naim Fatima,
Hackett Mark J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202101902
Subject(s) - wax , epicuticular wax , chemical imaging , in situ , in vivo , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , materials science , chemistry , environmental science , botany , biology , remote sensing , hyperspectral imaging , chemical engineering , biochemistry , geology , microbiology and biotechnology , organic chemistry , engineering
Analysis of the epicuticular wax layer on the surface of plant leaves can provide a unique window into plant physiology and responses to environmental stimuli. Well‐established analytical methodologies can quantify epicuticular wax composition, yet few methods are capable of imaging wax distribution in situ or in vivo. Here, the first report of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) reflectance spectroscopic imaging as a non‐destructive, in situ, method to investigate variation in epicuticular wax distribution at 25 µm spatial resolution is presented. The authors demonstrate in vivo imaging of alterations in epicuticular waxes during leaf development and in situ imaging during plant disease or exposure to environmental stressors. It is envisaged that this new analytical capability will enable in vivo studies of plants to provide insights into how the physiology of plants and crops respond to environmental stresses such as disease, soil contamination, drought, soil acidity, and climate change.