A New Device For Instant Leaf Analysis

A handheld, hyperspectral leaf imager will enable farmers to measure leaf moisture, chlorophyll content, nutrient level and diseases instantly.

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LeafSpec, an accurate, affordable and portable hyperspectral leaf imager developed by assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering Jian Jin at Purdue University in the US, was recently selected as an AE50 winner. The award, sponsored by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers’ Resource magazine, recognises top agricultural technology.

In an article published by Purdue University, Jian explains that plant phenotyping can be divided into remote sensing and proximal sensing. Remote sensing gathers data on plants from afar, using tools such as drones, and does so rapidly.

Proximal sensing, which is the technology built into LeafSpec, requires users to deal with plants individually. Although slower, it provides more information. “With proximal sensing, you can see details like disease spots, nutrient and stress distributions, and veins on the plant leaves,” explains Jian.