Articles
How Minirhizotrons for Nematode Detection Improve Root Health Monitoring
Early studies used minirhizotron to understand how nematode-roots interaction impacts yield. Minirhizotrons have also been used to quantify nematode damage and cultivar selection. Minirhizotrons can show symptoms like root swelling and root trait changes at infection sites. Root studies have increased in number recently due to novel data collection techniques, such as imaging through minirhizotron… Continue reading…
Additional reading
What is Senescence in Trees and Why Is It Important?
Senescence occurs at the cell, tissue, organs, and individual levels. Organ senescence is consequential in trees as it helps “recycle materials” within an individual tree to maintain function and productivity. Organ and whole tree senescence are also crucial for nutrient cycling, wildlife diversity, and forest productivity. Senescence is an integral part of all living organisms,… Continue reading…
What Are the Benefits of High-Density Orchards?
The dwarfing rootstocks that increase tree numbers in high-density orchards have a smaller and shallower root system. Several vital root traits like root length density (RLD), lower root number density (RND), and fewer and smaller fine roots are characteristics of dwarfing rootstocks. The root traits in dwarfing rootstocks lower the vegetative vigor but increase flower… Continue reading…
Canopy Design in Orchards: Improving Fruit Quality and Yield
Canopy design in orchards achieves a targeted tree form using grafts, pruning, and training. Orchards use 3-D canopy designs in low to medium-density orchards. 2-D planar canopy designs are used in high-density planting and to facilitate orchard management by machines and robots. As tree density increases, fruit quality, and resource use efficiency increase to boost… Continue reading…
Can Spectroscopy Predict Leaf Traits Across Ecosystems?
Yes, but with caveats. Leaf traits are used to understand plant growth, functional diversity, and ecosystem processes. Several traits spanning functional groups and geographies can be easily predicted using general models based on spectral data. However, all models cannot have global applications without validation, as the relationship between traits and spectral data is not the… Continue reading…
Understanding the Impact of High Temperatures on Crop Roots
Due to climate change-related high temperatures on crop roots, root architecture is altered. Roots change the carbohydrate/amino acid ratio and lipid metabolism to limit growth disruption and activate heat pathways. Temperature-induced hormone changes trigger signals to activate root responses to stress. Roots must also deal with climate change effects like drought, nutrient deficiency, salinity, and… Continue reading…
Climate Change Effects on Plant Development: Comprehensive Insights
Climate change can alter plants’ roots, vegetation, and reproductive development. Climate change effects on plant development can sometimes be similar across species or depend on tissue, species, genotype, and development stage. Plants are most sensitive to temperature and drought stress effects during the reproductive phase. Several features characterize climate change, like higher concentrations of greenhouse… Continue reading…
