The temperature profile shows spatial
and temporal irregularities irrespective of the water status
or of the individual impact of changes in transpiration
upon the fungal attack. Since the technique interferes as
little as possible with the leaves and the environment, infrared
thermography can be seen as an interesting tool in
the research of plant responses to stress. The information
can be implemented as a first level of detection to identify
non-specific pathogen development within the incubation
period (pre-symptomatic), therefore determining the onset
of plant stress.