A comprehensive review of crop stress detection: destructive, non-destructive, and ML-based approaches

Agriculture stands as a foundational element of life, closely linked to the progress and development of society. Both humans and animals depend on agriculture for a wide range of essential services, such as producing oxygen and food, along with vital raw materials for clothing, medicine, and other necessities. Given agriculture’s vital role in supporting individual well-being and driving global progress, protecting and ensuring the long-term sustainability of agriculture is essential. This is crucial for securing resources and maintaining environmental balance for future generations. In this context, in our review we have examined the various factors that can interfere with the normal physiological and developmental functions of plants and crops. These factors, referred to scientifically as stressors or stress conditions, include a wide range of both biotic and abiotic challenges. In this work we have systematically addressed all the major categories of stress that plants may encounter throughout their lifecycle. Additionally, because plants tend to exhibit recognizable physiological or biochemical responses to stress, we have cataloged the associated stress indicators. These indicators were identified through various assessment techniques, including both destructive and non-destructive approaches. A significant advancement highlighted in our review is the integration of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms with non-destructive methodologies, which has substantially enhanced the accuracy, scalability, and real-time capability of plant stress detection. These ML-enhanced systems leverage high-dimensional data acquired through remote sensing modalities, such as hyperspectral imaging, thermal imaging, and chlorophyll fluorescence. These ultimately help in enabling the early identification of biotic and abiotic stress signatures. Through advanced pattern recognition, feature extraction, and predictive modeling, ML facilitates proactive anomaly detection and stress forecasting, thereby mitigating yield losses and supporting data-driven precision agriculture. This convergence represents a significant step toward intelligent, automated crop monitoring systems. Finally, we conclude the article with a concise discussion of the potential positive roles that certain stress conditions may play in enhancing plant resilience and productivity.