By measuring isotope changes between control and treated plants, researchers can determine which metabolic pathways are initiated by the treatment, and by measuring nitrogen and carbon percentages in tissue, they can determine if the plant has taken up more nitrogen, is growing faster, and is more energy efficient.

Dr. Yordi Nus and his team are studying the metabolic changes in treated plants by analyzing small molecules and lipids, plotting them into metabolomic networks to identify changes in metabolic mechanisms.

In metabolomic analysis of treated plants, there is an increase in leaf mass after the treatment compared to control plants.

Stable isotope analysis of treated plants shows differences in the amount of carbon and hydrogen present compared to control plants.