Portable and wearable electrochemical sensor development for gibberellic acid determination in agronomically important seedlings.

• Grant number: 25/27353-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2026
• End date: February 28, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Maísa Azevedo Beluomini
• Grantee: Ana Júlia Casadei
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 25/03549-0 - Portable and Wearable (Bio)sensors for Detection of Microorganisms and Chemical Signaling in Agricultural Crops., AP.R

Abstract

Gibberellic acid (GA¿) is a fundamental plant hormone that regulates key physiological processes associated with plant growth and development. It directly influences structural characteristics such as plant height, stem diameter, and the expansion of roots and leaves, acting as a modulator of cell division and elongation. GA¿ also affects physiological functions including photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance, while altering the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and photosynthetic pigments. These functions make GA¿ strongly associated with improved growth performance and crop productivity. However, a deeper understanding of the dynamics of this hormone requires accurate and real¿time monitoring of endogenous GA¿ levels. In this context, electrochemical methods emerge as promising alternatives for the direct detection of GA¿ in various plant organs, such as roots, seeds, and leaves. Therefore, this research project aims to develop portable, wearable, and low-cost electrochemical sensors for the analysis of GA¿ in agronomically important crops - including soybean, maize, and sugarcane - to evaluate the application of GA¿¿based biostimulants, both through seed treatment and foliar spraying, at different phenological stages. The sensors will be fabricated using CO¿ laser engraving on flexible substrates and functionalized with nanomaterials, followed by electrochemical and morphological characterization. The integration of portable electrochemical sensors will allow not only the rapid and precise quantification of GA¿ but also the acquisition of real¿time physiological parameters that can support rational biostimulant management strategies, optimizing plant growth and crop yield in soybean, maize, and sugarcane systems (AU)