Imaging by delayed light-emission (phytoluminography) as a method for detecting damage to the photosynthetic system

In English An improved apparatus for obtaining luminescence (delayed light emission) images of plants is described. It consists of a phosphoroscope equipped with an imaging lens and an electronic image intensifier. It is also equipped with light-sources for obtaining images with reflected light and fluorescence light. Damage to the photosynthetic system caused by virus, insects, high or low temperature, UV radiation, or herbicide, and also chloroplast senescence as part of a normal developmental process, can be followed by this non-destructive method. In many cases changes which are not visible in fluorescence images are clearly seen in luminescence images. (Leaves of Hibiscus sp., Oxalis tetraphylla, Nicotiana glutinosa with a tobacco mosaic virus infection, Fagus sylvatica with midge gall and Polypodium vulgare were used.).