Enhancing Early Drought Detection in Plants: The Consideration of Organ Sensitivity, Parameter Selection, and Measurement Timing

Drought stress constitutes one of the most severe constraints to global agricultural productivity. Early drought detection is pivotal for sustainable agriculture, yet current approaches overlook critical dimensions of plant sensitivity. While advancements in photosynthetic parameter analysis (e.g., gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence) have enhanced drought monitoring, three understudied factors limit progress: (1) differential drought sensitivity across plant organs (e.g., root nodules vs. leaves); (2) the selection of sensitive photosynthetic parameters and optimal measurement timing for stress detection; and (3) the identification of leaf layers most responsive to water deficits. By synthesizing insights from nodule physiology in legumes, cross-species evidence on multi-layered leaf senescence, and the temporal dynamics of stress sensitivity, this paper proposes a 'whole-plant sensitivity analysis' framework. Integrating organ-, parameter-, and time-specific perspectives, this paper aims to refine early drought detection in the field and enhance plant resilience research.