Patent ID: 7660698
Filing Date: 2010-02-09
Classification: G01B,G01N,G01R

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting plant water deficit stress in plants by measuring plant leaf thickness using a Hall Effect Sensor and using this measurement to determine a level of water deficit in plants, the method comprising: a) mounting a Hall Effect Sensor Integrated Circuit on the first arm of a gripper like fixture; b) mounting a magnet on the second arm of a gripper like fixer; wherein said mounting permits the arms to touch opposite sides of a leaf to be measured; c) measuring the magnetic flux density; d) converting the measured magnetic flux density into a corresponding voltage; e) comparing the voltage of step d) to voltage measured when no leaf is present; f) determining leaf thickness by comparing the voltages; and g) determining a level of water deficit stress in plants using the determined leaf thickness by comparing the voltages.