VOC biomarker-based wearable gas sensors for real-time in situ monitoring of plant stress and health: applications and technical barriers.

As an emerging in situ monitoring technique, wearable gas sensors provide a non-invasive and real-time monitoring tool for analyzing plant health status. When plants are subjected to biotic and abiotic stresses, they release characteristic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can serve as key biomarkers for early diagnosis. This paper systematically reviews the latest research progress of wearable gas sensors in the in-situ monitoring of plant health. Firstly, it systematically discusses the structural composition, key properties and major sensing mechanisms of the sensors. Subsequently, it outlines the applications of wearable gas sensors in monitoring plant growth and stress status, and analyzes in detail the design concepts and performance indicators in typical application cases. Finally, it thoroughly explores the core challenges currently faced by this technology and its future development directions. By bridging the application gap between material sensing and agricultural production, this review provides theoretical support and practical guidance for the construction of a precise prevention and control system for smart agriculture.