A sensor that measures the “heartbeat” of a plant is being used by farmers around the world to optimize the growing process, most notably how much water it needs, at a time when weather patterns are shifting and becoming unpredictable due to climate change.

Almost all plants, big and small, rely on the process of photosynthesis (using light, carbon dioxide and water to produce oxygen and energy), and the correct conditions are crucial for its survival.

But for farmers, knowing how much water to give each plant can be an inexact science, with agriculturalists generally relying on experience and intuition rather than data to gauge the right amounts.

The technology created by Israeli startup SupPlant aims to end the uncertainty involved in irrigation, using the plant’s own chemical processes to inform how exactly much water to supply and when.

“It’s basically putting an Apple Watch on a [plant] and having it learn the metrics and learn the heartbeat,” SupPlant CEO Ori Ben Ner tells NoCamels.

Keep reading at nocamels.com.

SupPlant CTO Revital Kremer is a Technion alumna.