Plant science articles
Estimating the Role of Ectomycorrhiza
The symbiosis between the roots of plants and fungus is considered to be widespread and one of the oldest mutualistic associations. One such association is ectomycorrhiza, which is common among tree species. Their role in the growth, health, and productivity of both natural and commercial ecosystems has only recently begun to be appreciated. Studying the… Continue reading…
Roots, Shoots, and Photosynthesis: Measuring Tree Sapling Response to Drought
Drier and longer summers are taking a toll on trees in temperate regions acclimatized to more rainfall. Therefore, in an attempt to suggest efficient propagation and maintenance practices to match new climate patterns, scientists are studying how various species deal with drought. Advanced analytic tools that can be used consistently in the field are a… Continue reading…
Optimizing Micronutrients in Rice and Citrus using Photosynthetic Measurement
Several micronutrients are involved in the metabolic activities of plants, and their deficiency can affect both crop health and yield. The elements that are connected with the photosynthesis system have a substantial bearing on the biomass plants can produce. Their role in carbohydrate production, however, also allows detection of their deficiency by directly measuring photosynthetic… Continue reading…
Pulses and Effective Drought Response
Pulses are an important source of protein and vital for global nutritional security. Irregular and reduced rainfall, along with temperature rises due to climate change, are making food production more challenging. Since 80% of crops are rainfed, it is imperative that we understand how crops react to drought. Research into the internal physiological processes that… Continue reading…
Chlorophyll Analysis Using Vegetation Indices
Instruments like the VIS-NIR based CI-710 Miniature Leaf Spectrometer (CID Bio-Science) aid in non-destructive data collection and quantification of chlorophyll. Several vegetation indices can be used to analyze the spectral data collected by the spectrometer during the process. Chlorophyll content estimation assumes importance as it can provide rapid and precise data on the plant physiological parameters… Continue reading…
Influence of Environment on Plants
There is no denying the importance of light for the growth of plants; however, there are many other environmental factors—such as temperature, moisture and nutrient availability, and soil type–that also influence plant growth. These factors do not act in isolation and are, many times, correlated. So, it is interesting to see how light works in… Continue reading…
Detecting Salinity Stress in Crops
Salinity inhibits growth and development in crops. Due to the extent of damage salinity causes to agriculture, it is identified as a major threat to food production. Therefore, practices to deal with the effects of salinity on crops are receiving a lot of attention. To be able to provide proper recommendations that are also sustainable,… Continue reading…
Irrigating with Saline or Seawater
Currently, agriculture uses seventy percent of the freshwaters, globally. Available freshwater sources will not be enough to increase food production to feed growing populations in the coming decades. Therefore, there is a concerted effort to grow crops with seawater. Hence, scientists are investigating the various challenges involved in growing plants with saline water. These include… Continue reading…
Upcoming Webinar: Made in the Shade- How 11 Research Studies Cleverly Use Canopy Analysis to Measure Crop & Forest Health
Special guest researchers Brendon Anthony of Colorado State University and Derek Godwin of Oregon State University, along with our application scientists Eric Munoz-Garcia and Galen George review 11 studies that have used canopy analysis for everything from typhoon effects to pruning! Here is a quick look at some of what will be covered: How pruning… Continue reading…
Aiming to Optimize Irrigation Levels
With irrigation being used in many spheres of life and food production methods getting diversified, it is not surprising that research on this topic is getting more specialized. Procedures for analysis, which were restricted earlier to big institutions, need to be widely available so that their reach is extended and science will benefit from more… Continue reading…