Which sensor is best for detecting chlorophyll in plants?

The multispectral sensor is especially suited for detecting chlorophyll in plants due to its ability to capture data at specific wavelengths, particularly in the red and near-infrared spectra. Chlorophyll strongly absorbs light in the red region of the spectrum while reflecting light in the near-infrared range. By analyzing the reflected light in these specific bands, a multispectral sensor can effectively assess the health and vigor of plant life, providing insights into photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll concentration.

This capability makes it an essential tool in agriculture and environmental monitoring to evaluate plant health, growth patterns, and overall vegetation cover. Multispectral sensors are widely used in remote sensing applications because they balance detail and data volume, making them efficient for analyzing large areas.

In contrast, thermal sensors measure temperature differences and may indicate water stress but do not directly measure chlorophyll. Hyperspectral sensors, while very advanced and capable of detecting a wider range of wavelengths and offering detailed spectral information, may be more complex and resource-intensive for general chlorophyll detection purposes. Microwave sensors operate in a different spectrum that primarily interacts with moisture content and surface structure, making them unsuitable for detecting chlorophyll specifically.