Non-destructive evaluation of photostability of crop signaling compounds and dose effects on celery vigor for precision plant identification using computer vision

•A fluorescence macroscopic imaging system using a bandpass filter was constructed.•Rh-B absorbed via the roots from where it moved throughout the celery plant in 24 h.•Photostability of Rh-B and its dose effect on celery vigor were evaluated.•Celery treated with 60 ppm Rh-B for 2 days was photostable for 5 weeks.•The 60 ppm solution of Rh-B was safe for celery plants.