A reporter plant is a specialized plant that serves as an early warning system, typically placed strategically in a field of crops. If growers have detailed, real-time information about nutrient status, they can be more strategic with fertilizer application to save money and reduce runoff.
CROPPS scientists are working on developing plant systems that communicate potential threats, such as nutrient deficiencies, before the crops are affected. Currently, CROPPS scientists are focusing on developing reporter tomato plants that can sense nitrogen deficiencies in the growing environment.
