Researchers at the Perm Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have developed a groundbreaking photon-based sensor designed to analyze the sound signals produced by plants and insects. This device enables monitoring of plant health and potential pest infestations within a one-kilometer radius, offering a novel approach to agricultural surveillance that could benefit viewers in North America as well. (Source: PFRC team reports to the Russian Ministry of Education and Science)
The sensor relies on an ultrathin optical fiber whose every point acts as a tiny microphone. This arrangement captures vibrations across a broad range of frequencies. The design team also optimized the distributed sensor interrogation system, achieving notable noise reduction during signal transmission and reducing production costs compared with many existing alternatives. (Source: PFRC communications)
Tests indicate that the device can detect acoustic effects from 30 to 10,000 Hz over a one-kilometer sensing length and can pinpoint where events begin and end along the monitored path. This capability makes it possible to map activity and stress signals with high spatial resolution. (Source: PFRC findings)
In plants, signals typically fall within roughly 40 Hz to 80 kHz. Reading these signals can reveal whether a plant is growing normally or experiencing stress from environmental factors or pests. For insects such as pests, the acoustic monitoring enables observation of activity even in scenarios where visual inspection is not feasible. (Source: PFRC researchers)
One practical use is to learn about insects by tracking sound intensity over their life cycles. The sounds of gnawing, buzzing, limb movements, and other actions provide a wealth of information. With the new sensor, researchers can infer whether a plant is infected by larval activity by correlating specific acoustic patterns with disease onset. (Source: PFRC communications)
Alongside plant health, there is a global decline in pollinator populations. Distributed acoustic monitoring could help researchers identify contributing factors by analyzing how often bees emit sounds, how loud they are, and how quickly their activities occur. Such insights may guide strategies to protect crops and ecosystems. (Source: PFRC findings)
Currently, the science team is carrying out additional laboratory experiments. In the next two years, plans include field-ready versions of the system and real-world testing of the photonic sensors under varied environmental conditions. (Source: PFRC updates)