Early Plant Stress Detection Filters/Glasses

NASA Ames Research Center entered into a SPACE ACT/Technology Transfer Agreement with Optical Sales Corporation (3/94) to commercialize advanced optical filter technology based on research from NASA scientist Dr. Leonard Haslim. The filters (passive chlorophyll detectors) discriminate the reflective spectra of chlorophyll bearing vegetation by exaggerating the visual effects of incipient chlorosis. Because of human retina sensitivity, early signs of damage to vegetation caused by insufficient (or excessive) water, minerals, frost, fertilizers, chemicals, insect infestations, pollution and diseases often go undetected. Using spectral shift principles the filters allow people to see what they otherwise can not see. The results are low cost filters/glasses for the early and real time identification of plant stress.