Lipid MRI in plant science: principles and potential areas of application

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), long established in medical diagnostics, offers powerful, non-invasive capabilities for visualizing physiological processes in intact plants. This review focuses on the principles, recent advances and future prospects of MRI-based lipid analysis in plant science with a particular focus on seeds. Cutting-edge, spatially resolved MRI has uncovered a remarkable compartmentation of lipid metabolism and storage. Lipid distribution patterns reflect the tissue- and cell-specific functional roles of lipids and are shaped by local metabolite gradients and other regulatory factors, including biomechanical and environmental stimuli. Recent innovations in MRI methodology now allow comprehensive, non-invasive monitoring of lipid storage and degradation dynamics in vivo. Looking ahead, the integration of MRI with deep learning and multimodal approaches heralds a transformative era for seed biology, oilseed phenotyping, and breeding.