Plant Wearable Sensors: Emerging Technology for Real-Time Plant Monitoring

Abstract

Plant wearable sensors are emerging as flexible, non-invasive platforms for continuous assessment of plant physiological status and plant–environment interactions. This review examines recent progress in wearable sensing systems for real-time monitoring of water status, growth dynamics, chlorophyll content, volatile organic compounds, humidity, temperature and stress-associated responses. It summarises major sensing approaches, including capacitive, chemical, photodetector-based and piezoresistive sensors, with attention to their materials, fabrication strategies, operating principles and potential applications in plant health monitoring. Advances in flexible substrates, conductive materials, nanostructured sensing layers, biodegradable polymers and wireless communication have improved sensor compatibility with plant surfaces and enhanced the detection of physiological changes under field-relevant conditions. Integration with the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud platforms and data analytics further supports continuous data acquisition and interpretation for precision crop management. These systems may contribute to early detection of biotic and abiotic stresses, enabling timely interventions and improved resource-use efficiency. However, broader adoption remains limited by sensor durability, environmental interference, power requirements, scalability, cost and the complexity of interpreting plant-derived signals. Continued interdisciplinary research is required to develop reliable, affordable, energy-efficient, biodegradable and multifunctional sensing platforms that support sustainable agricultural management under changing environmental conditions.