Predicting Bacterial Wilt Disease of Tomato Plants using Remotely Sensed Thermal Imagery

Detection of bacterial wilt infection caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) through multifractal analysis applied to remotely sensed data

“…Thermal infrared imagery showed that stress-induced reduction of photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance are closely related to an increase in leaf temperature in plants (Inoue 1990;Chiwaki et al 2005). Using this method, Chiwaki et al (2005) were able to determine bacterial infection in plants 4 days earlier than the visual identification of symptoms, as the invasion of vascular bundles by multiplying bacteria reduced transpiration and caused a raised leaf temperature.…”

“…Thermal infrared imagery showed that stress-induced reduction of photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance are closely related to an increase in leaf temperature in plants (Inoue 1990;Chiwaki et al 2005). Using this method, Chiwaki et al (2005) were able to determine bacterial infection in plants 4 days earlier than the visual identification of symptoms, as the invasion of vascular bundles by multiplying bacteria reduced transpiration and caused a raised leaf temperature. Another promising technique is remote sensing and spectroradiometry of plant reflectance as it allows the early detection of morphological and anatomical changes even if these changes are small, as shown for virus infection (Chávez et al 2009(Chávez et al , 2010.…”

“…In an infected plant, vascular bundles are filled with multiplying bacteria that obstruct the transportation of water and nutrients, thus, symptoms include leaf yellowing, vascular browning and necrosis and wilting of the plant. Physiological changes, such as the increase of respiration rate and reduction of transpiration and photosynthesis, occur in infected plants (Chiwaki et al 2005), which sometimes show a temporary recovery from wilting while the disease is progressing, or may not show any visible change before a sudden wilting. In any case, all diseased plants are seriously blighted in the end.…”

“…Due to unsuccessful efforts to control the incidence of R. solanacearum around the world, early detection of the disease is highly necessary as the source of secondary infection is significantly reduced by the early removal of diseased plants (Chiwaki et al 2005). Thermal infrared imagery showed that stress-induced reduction of photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance are closely related to an increase in leaf temperature in plants (Inoue 1990;Chiwaki et al 2005).…”

“…In any case, all diseased plants are seriously blighted in the end. Secondary infection occurs as the bacteria survive for a long time in the soil in the residues of diseased plants (Chiwaki et al 2005).…”