Can nanosensors detect plant signals and increase crop yields?

Engineers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT; MA, USA) have developed a sensor using carbon nanotubes that can closely monitor how plants respond to various stresses, including injury, infection and light damage. These sensors could be useful for agricultural scientists for researching how plants respond to different types of stress and help develop new strategies for improving crop yields. Therefore, the sensor could help increase food supplies, which has an impact on world-wide health. The carbon nanotube sensors were embedded into plant leaves, where they were used to monitor and report on hydrogen peroxide signaling waves. Plants use hydrogen peroxide to...