Photosynthetica X:X | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2026.028

Plant stress detection through a chlorophyll content-dependent relationship between Fv/Fm and the photochemical reflectance index

D. OH1, J.-H. RYU2, K.-M. KIM1, H. JEONG3, 4, H.-D. MOON1, 5, H. KIM1, 6, S. CHOI1, B.-K. KIM1, 5, H. WON1, H. YANG1, J. CHO1, 5, 7
1 Department of Applied Plant Science, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, 61186 Gwangju, Republic of Korea
2 National Agricultural Satellite Center, National Institute of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, 310 Nongsaengmyeong-ro, 54875 Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Republic of Korea
3 Smart Agricultural Technology Division, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, 20 Jeompiljae-ro, 50424 Miryang-si, Republic of Korea
4 Interdisciplinary Program for Agriculture & Life Science, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, 61186 Gwangju, Republic of Korea
5 BK21 Four Center for IT-Bio Convergence System Agriculture, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, 61186 Gwangju, Republic of Korea
6 Crop Environment Research Division, National Institute of Crop Sciences, Rural Development Administration, 181 Hyeoksin-ro, Iseo-myeon, 55365 Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
7 AgriBio Institute of Climate Change Management, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, 61186 Gwangju, Republic of Korea

Optical sensing for plant stress detection requires physiologically relevant indices. Fv/Fm, representing the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II photochemistry, quantifies stress across species but requires dark adaptation, limiting field application. Photochemical reflectance index (PRI), a reflectance-based indicator of xanthophyll cycle activity, can be remotely measured, but its irregular variation complicates interpretation. Paddy rice was grown in temperature-gradient field chambers to evaluate Fv/Fm, PRI, and SPAD (soil-plant analysis development). Changes in Fv/Fm were associated with net leaf photosynthesis and showed sensitivity to stress affecting PSII, as its maximum value decreased under high-temperature stress. PRI exhibited a diurnal pattern similar to that of Fv/Fm, while the linear PRI-Fv/Fm relationship varied with SPAD values throughout the season. Utilizing this relationship, variation in Fv/Fm can be inferred from PRI and chlorophyll content, enabling spatial and temporal scaling and quantitative stress assessment. These findings support remote sensing-based plant stress diagnosis.

Additional key words: chlorophyll content; Fv, Fm; photochemical reflectance index; photosynthetic efficiency; plant stress.

Received: September 30, 2025; Revised: July 30, 2026; Accepted: September 2, 2026; Prepublished online: September 30, 2026 

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