OCT imaging of plant’s early infection Ghada Sasi, Dr Adrien Chauvet, Professor Stephen Rolfe and Professor Stephen Matcher University of Sheffield, UK
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive, real-time imaging technique that provides 2D and 3D images. OCT is commonly used in the medical field, and more specifically in ophthalmology, while its use in agriculture studies is seldom. However, given the advantages of OCT, being non-invasive, in-vivo, 3D, real-time imaging [1], we believe that the field of botany can also benefit from this technique. Consequently, the objective of this study is to evaluate the suitability of OCT in botany. More specifically, we are here evaluating the use of OCT as a tool for the early detection of infection in wheat crops by the fungus Septoria tritici. Septoria is a devastating fungus that can cause up to 40% yield loss in wheat crops [2]. Such infections in wheat crops are usually controlled using fungicides [3], but the frequent uses of fungicides have a negative environmental impact [3, 4]. It thus becomes crucial to detect and treat the infection as early as possible to limit the use of fungicides. The hope is to benefit from OCT to ensure high crop yields, reduce the environmental impact of chemical treatments, and to develop more sustainable agriculture. References 1. Fercher, A., Optical coherence tomography-development, principles, applications. Zeitschrift für medizinische Physik, 2010. 20 : p. 251-76. 2. Why is Septoria so damaging to UK wheat? 2021; Available from: https://www.microgenetics.co.uk/blog/why-is-septoria-so- damaging-to-uk-wheat-1?hsLang=en. 3. Septoria tritici in winter wheat . 2022; Available from: https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/septoria-tritici-in-winter-wheat. Zubrod, J.P., et al., 4. Fungicides: An Overlooked Pesticide Class? Environmental science &; technology, 2019. 53 (7): p. 3347-3365.
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