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Reflectance
The reflectance properties of plant tissue change predictably in response to stress. Photosynthetic activity fluctuates with changes in water availability, temperature, sunlight and disease (to name a few). Consequently, the amount of light reflected and absorbed by the plant tissue changes as well. Typically, when a plant is under some kind of stress, reflectance in the visible region increases under stress, while reflectance in the near-infrared decreases. As the plant recovers and photosynthetic activity resumes, reflectance patterns change again. Plants begin to absorb visible light (as energy for photosynthesis) and reflect near- infrared light (bouncing off of the healthier, water filled mesophyll layer). These measurements provide a precise and unbiased measure of plant health.
