Estimating short-term changes of stomatal conductance using a combination of 3D imaging and energy balance modelling

Abstract

Estimating stomatal conductance poses significant challenges in plant stress research, since traditional measurement methods interact physically with leaves, thereby altering their position and microclimate. To overcome this problem, we developed a contactless approach that combines 3D modeling, thermal imaging, and a modified energy balance equation to estimate stomatal conductance remotely and accurately. We evaluated this method by comparing model estimated total plant transpiration with gravimetric measurements. The estimates provided by our approach corresponded favorably with measurements across different environmental conditions, including non-stressed and short-term salinity stress scenarios. This method effectively tracks stomatal responses to rapid osmotic stress, offering a reliable tool for remote assessment of plant physiological dynamics.

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