Camera-Based Bi-Axial Measurement of Weak Forces Generated by Freely-Moving Plant Organs

Growing plants are remarkable at negotiating obstacles in their unstructured and changing environments. Measuring the mechanical interactions of growing plants with surrounding objects is a critical step towards deciphering thigmotropic responses underpinning complex growth strategies. Yet, available force-measurement systems have limited capacity to capture weak (sub-mN) forces in freely moving plant organs - such as the forces applied by a growing shoot pushing at an obstacle. We developed a measurement system based on the deflection of a pendulum by a freely moving shoot. Crucially, unlike many force-measurement systems, the organ is not tethered to the device. Moreover, force is measured along two axes, as opposed to one axis in commonly used methods such as cantilevers. Orthogonal cameras track the 3D position of the rod and shoot, yielding the rod deflection angle and, using a mechanical torque equilibrium equation, allowing to extract the force applied by the plant over time. This system is relevant for measuring weak forces in macro-sized systems (such as growth or turgor pressures), and the force detection range can be tuned by altering rod mass and length. We demonstrate the system with bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) shoots, measuring the forces they apply on a candidate support during inherent circumnutation movements, prior to twining. Such measurements lay the foundations for deciphering how climbing plants assess whether to twine or not - an open question since Darwins first observations.