Chlorophyll fluorescence: a smart tool for maize improvement

Abstract

This review meticulously explores the diverse methodologies and applications of chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) analysis, emphasizing its crucial role in field measurements, crop phenotyping, and monitoring within agricultural research. It is a useful tool in agricultural research since it helps researchers improve plant selection procedures and optimize crop production. The review clarifies the importance of CF in understanding energy transfer within the photosynthetic apparatus and related processes, highlighting its usefulness in evaluating the effects of abiotic stresses on photosynthetic performance. A highlight of this study is the critical investigation of CF imaging as a non-destructive phenotyping method. This technique not only quantifies photosynthetic tolerance mechanisms to various stimuli but also forecasts chloroplast activity and responses under diverse growth conditions, be they optimal or unfavorable. Focusing particularly on maize, this review evaluates the sensitivity of the photosynthetic apparatus to a spectrum of abiotic stressors. It offers invaluable insights into the nuanced responses of maize to these stressors, providing essential knowledge pertinent to climate change and the pursuit of sustainable farming practices. Moreover, it highlights the critical role of CF in assessing maize varieties under various stresses, viz., drought, heat, cold, nutrient deficiencies, disease resistance, and susceptibility. Comparative analysis of different maize varieties and the evaluation of hybrid performance through CF are also considerably covered. By delving into techniques, applications, and practical considerations, this review contributes significantly to the scholarly discourse on CF analysis in contemporary agriculture, offering a comprehensive understanding of its techniques and pragmatic implications.