In-situ, real-time monitoring of nutrient uptake on plant chip integrated with nutrient sensor

We for the first time report on in-situ, real-time monitoring of nitrate and phosphorous uptake of plants grown in a microfluidic plant chip using integrated nutrient sensors. The plant chip contains the growth medium with known ingredients and initial concentrations for growing plants. As the roots uptake the nutrients from the medium, the embedded sensors detect concentration reductions of target nutrient ions in the medium. The nutrient reduction in the medium indicates the nutrient uptake by the plant. Therefore, real-time monitoring of nutrient use efficiency can be realized on the plant chip. Using rice plants as a model system, we have demonstrated accurate and continuous detection of variations of phosphate and nitrate concentrations in growth medium over 15 days. The integration of the miniature nutrient sensors with the microfluidic plant chips will provide a powerful tool in the area of plant science to help advance our understanding of plant responses to nutrient stress.