Research in the Phytophotonics Section

The Phytophotonics group investigates the application of optical technologies in the field of plant sciences. Thus, it represents the interface between physics, plant sciences and engineering sciences. Accordingly, the research group is located at the Hannover Center for Optical Technologies (HOT).

The research activities are divided into two main areas: Optical phytomonitoring and laser-based methods for the non-contact manipulation of plant tissue.

Optical methods offer the possibility to record numerous plant parameters contact-free and in real-time. In addition to classical imaging techniques, 3D scanning methods (such as LIDAR) as well as functional imaging techniques (such as various spectroscopic approaches) are gaining increasing importance in order to create a profound understanding of the plant state in the respective environment. The Phytophotonics group is therefore focussing on the application of new optical detection methods and their transfer to greenhouse and field environments.

Lasers can be utilized as a precise tool for non-contact manipulation of plant tissue. Besides ablative processes such as cutting and marking of plant tissue, sub-threshold processes also allow the modulation of signaling pathways. This can be used to specifically influence plant constituents or the morphogenesis of target plants. Based on their expertise in the field of laser-tissue interactions, the Phytophotonics group is investigating the effects of these interactions and exploring possible fields of application.