Ph nanosensor technology for early white mold detection and disease resistance breeding in common beans
A novel approach using potentiometric pH nanosensors integrated with Arduino systems to detect early-stage white mold infection in common bean plants. The technology enables real-time monitoring of pH changes in live plant tissue, supporting disease prediction and accelerating the breeding of white mold-resistant varieties through enhanced trait dissection and high-throughput phenotyping.
Overview
White mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a major disease threat to common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production worldwide, causing significant yield losses. Current disease management relies heavily on visual scouting and preventative fungicide applications, which are often imprecise and costly. This solution introduces a novel plant phenotyping approach that leverages potentiometric pH nanosensors to detect physiological changes in plant tissue during the earliest stages of white mold infection.
By measuring pH shifts associated with pathogen activity, the technology aims to improve epidemiological monitoring and disease prediction while simultaneously enabling more precise dissection of quantitative disease resistance traits. This dual capability supports both proactive disease management and accelerated breeding of resistant cultivars, offering value to pulse crop producers, plant breeders, and agricultural technology developers.
Technical specifications
- Potentiometric pH nanosensors designed for use in live plant tissue, with a sensitivity of approximately 4 mV/pH and a measurement range of pH 6 to 9
- Arduino-based data acquisition system controlled through custom Python code for sensor operation and data logging
- Nanosheet sensor format enabling minimally invasive insertion into plant tissue for continuous pH monitoring
- Validated on leaf analog tissue and refrigerated plant tissue fed with saline solution, successfully tracking pH modifications in real time
- Application in recombinant inbred line populations and Multiparent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross (MAGIC) populations for trait mapping and resistance gene discovery
- Compatibility with growth chamber and field studies, supporting both controlled-environment phenotyping and real-world validation
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at an early-to-mid stage of development (TRL 3–4). Preliminary validation has been completed using analog tissue and refrigerated plant samples, confirming the feasibility of detecting pH changes with the sensor–Arduino platform. The research team is now seeking to advance the technology through a four-year PhD project focused on refining sensor sensitivity, developing a MAGIC population with resistant and tolerant checks, and conducting growth chamber and field trials. Further validation in larger breeding populations and under production conditions is required before commercial deployment.
About Pulse Breeding, Genomics and Phenomics Research Laboratory
The Pulse Breeding and Genetics Lab, located within the Department of Plant Science at McGill University, is a research group focused on the genetic improvement of pulse legumes, including common beans, chickpeas, and dry peas. The lab utilizes field data to conduct research in areas such as genomics, quantitative genetics, abiotic stress tolerance, disease resistance, and high-throughput phenotyping. By integrating emerging technologies into agricultural systems, the team aims to develop superior cultivars that enhance yield, quality, and nutritional profiles for sustainable production. Their work combines fundamental research with applied plant breeding to generate new knowledge and drive agricultural innovation.
This research is critical for supporting the pulse industry, farmers, and end-users by providing solutions that improve productivity and sustainability in Quebec, Canada, and internationally. The lab engages in collaborative efforts with the private and public sectors, offering opportunities for industrial partners to leverage their expertise and equipment for accelerated product development and R&D. Furthermore, the laboratory plays a significant role in education by training MS and PhD students in the fields of plant breeding and genetics, ensuring the development of scientific leadership to advance global food security and nutrition.
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