Spanish researchers have developed a novel biological system that enables plants to detect crop pests and diseases at an early stage by emitting light signals. The technology, created by the Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP) — a collaboration between CSIC and Universitat Politècnica de València — has been published in Nature Communications and represents a breakthrough in agricultural monitoring.
The system leverages fungal bioluminescence mechanisms to produce plants that emit different light signals depending on their health status. By introducing fungal bioluminescence genes into Nicotiana benthamiana — a research-friendly plant species related to tobacco — the team enabled visual tracking of viral infections and identification of affected areas.
At the core of the technology is a mechanism involving four enzymes that modify caffeic acid, a natural plant compound, to generate a molecule that continuously emits green light during oxidation. This transforms plants into self-monitoring sensors of their own health conditions.
The sentinel system detects potyvirus infections through distinct color changes in the emitted light. Healthy plants maintain a steady yellow signal, while viral infection triggers an enzymatic color shift visible with low-cost cameras, enabling rapid early detection. Traditional diagnostic methods like PCR and ELISA, while accurate, require specialized equipment, time, and trained personnel.
The technology could initially be deployed for early detection of viral diseases in greenhouses and controlled agricultural environments. Future applications may extend to bacterial and fungal pathogens, positioning the system as a crucial tool against emerging agricultural threats exacerbated by climate change.
The project involved multiple research institutions including the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), the Central Research Unit in Medicine at Universitat de València, and the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences in London.
