Vivent Biosignals, a Swiss biotech leader (and B-Corp), uses advanced sensor electrodes and AI-powered analytics to monitor electrical signals generated within plant cells. These signals allow growers to detect responses to both abiotic (nutrient deficits, drought, heat, etc.) and biotic (disease, insects) stressors, often days ahead of visible symptoms. Sensor electrodes are placed directly into the stem, and the system actively records ion flows and interprets data using machine learning (AI), with readings transmitted to an intuitive dashboard accessible via desktop or mobile app.

Practical benefits for crop managers

• Early stress detection: Growers can intervene at the earliest electrical sign of stress—adjusting irrigation, nutrition, or crop protection—well before the plant shows visual decline.
• Real-time decision support: Live monitoring enables more targeted use of inputs, cutting costs and environmental impact through reduced waste and runoff.
• Prevention over reaction: Diseases (such as mildew) and pest outbreaks (like thrips) can be mitigated, thanks to advance alerts.
• Yield, quality, and consistency: The technology helps minimize stress during sensitive phases—optimal growing hours versus bad growing hours—leading to higher and more consistent crop yields.
• Faster testing and breeding: Breeders, agronomists, and input developers gain rapid feedback on crop response to new genetics or products (fertilizers, biostimulants, substrates), helping accelerate product development and reduce reliance on subjective “snake oil” claims.

How the system works

Two electrodes are inserted into the plant, and its natural internal signals are amplified and recorded. The electrodes typically stay in place throughout a full crop cycle. In real time, signals are compared to a library of diagnostic algorithms (machine learning models) and plant response metrics. Algorithms include a range of abiotic stresses, such as drought, nutrient deficits (N, P, K, Ca, Fe, Mn), as well as biotic stresses including thrips, aphids, and plant diseases such as mildew. Response to light, water, and circadian rhythm are clearly visible. Vivent Biosignals sensors can be used in any crop.

Integration and Value for Growers

• Compatibility: Data from Vivent Biosignals can be paired with other greenhouse management systems for holistic crop health reporting and rapid experiment analysis.
• Research and efficacy: Real-time data offers convincing evidence for the efficacy of crop treatments, letting growers compare product impacts, time applications accurately, and improve recommendations for stress mitigation.
• Sustainability: As a certified sustainable enterprise, Vivent’s technology is a key tool to reduce input use and environmental impact while improving crop performance and profitability.

Vivent Biosignals shifts greenhouse management from observing external factors to actively listening and acting upon what plants communicate from within.

This leap enables growers to stay ahead of stress, ensure better crop protection, and maximize yield and quality—making precision agriculture more actionable and effective.