A leaf-mounted capacitance sensor for continuous monitoring of foliar transpiration and solar irradiance as an indicator of plant water status

A leaf-mounted sensor is described which detects condensing water vapour originating from leaf transpiration, taking advantage of a passive temperature gradient across the sunlit and underneath plate, simultaneously monitors incident solar radiation. The simple low-cost device enables qualitative assessment plant status by comparing diurnal patterns transpiration irradiance. close correlation between condensation irradiance occurs in conditions unrestricted supply, whereas deviation their course likely indicates suboptimal status.