Plant science articles
CI‑203 Handheld vs CI‑202 Portable: Trade‑offs in Mobility and Precision
Choosing the right laser leaf area meter can influence how efficiently researchers collect, analyze, and interpret plant morphology data. CID Bio-Science offers two flagship models, the CI-203 Handheld Laser Leaf Area Meter and the CI-202 Portable Laser Leaf Area Meter, both designed to provide fast, high-resolution, non-destructive measurements in the field or lab. While they… Continue reading…
CI‑110 vs LAI‑2200C: Can CID’s System Outperform a Hemispherical Camera Approach?
When it comes to understanding canopy structure and light distribution, precision matters. Researchers in forestry, agronomy, and ecology depend on accurate Leaf Area Index (LAI) data to model photosynthesis, evaluate growth, and manage ecosystems. Traditionally, devices like the LAI-2200C from LI-COR have dominated this space with hemispherical sensor arrays. CID Bio-Science’s CI-110 Plant Canopy Imager… Continue reading…
CI‑600 In‑Situ Root Imager vs Traditional Minirhizotron: Time, Labour & Insights
The CI-600 In-Situ Root Imager is a modern solution for non-destructive root observation and data collection. Compared to traditional minirhizotron systems, it delivers faster image capture, greater consistency, and richer insight into below-ground dynamics while cutting the time and labour typically associated with root research. The Challenge of Root Observation Roots drive plant performance, yet… Continue reading…
CI‑340 Handheld Photosynthesis System vs LI‑COR 6400XT: A Researcher’s Perspective
Accurate photosynthesis measurement is vital for understanding plant physiology, crop productivity, and responses to stress. Portable gas exchange systems have become essential in both field and controlled studies. Among the leading instruments in this field of photosynthesis measurement systems are CID Bio Science’s CI 340 Handheld Photosynthesis System and LI COR’s LI 6400XT. Both provide… Continue reading…
What Affects Leaf Area Index Estimation Accuracy in Field and Remote Methods?
TLDR Leaf area index (LAI) field methods are classified into two categories: destructive, direct methods and non-destructive, indirect methods. LAI estimations by the indirect method across the ecosystem, plant, and species are lower than those obtained directly. Clumping, non-random leaf distribution in the canopy, seasonality, and inadvertent inclusion of contributions by woody parts can affect… Continue reading…
CI‑202 vs CI‑203: Which Leaf Area Meter Fits Your Field Work?
Choosing the right leaf area meter can make or break the efficiency of your plant research. For field scientists, agronomists, and ecologists, CID Bio-Science’s CI-202 Portable Laser Leaf Area Meter and CI-203 Handheld Laser Leaf Area Meter both deliver accurate, non-destructive measurements of leaf area, shape, and morphology. But which tool best suits your work… Continue reading…
What Is Root System Architecture and Why Does It Matter?
The root system architecture in plants is complex and dynamic. The factors that determine root form, structure, and function are plant type, root age, and environmental conditions. The available data is still insufficient to provide a comprehensive picture of the influence of factors on root system architecture. The function of root system architecture has been… Continue reading…
Watching Wetland Soils Change in Real Time: Auburn University’s Innovative Use of the CI-600 Rhizosphere Camera
Understanding how soils transition between oxidized and reduced states is essential for accurately classifying and protecting wetlands. Traditional techniques such as the Indicator of Reduction in Soils (IRIS) method provide valuable data. Still, they rely on periodic sampling and the destruction of multiple test tubes, limiting both temporal resolution and sustainability. Researchers at Auburn University… Continue reading…
CI-600 Root Imager vs. Soil Core + Lab Root Scanning: Which Is Faster and More Reliable?
Root research is one of the trickiest aspects of plant science. The hidden half of plants—buried in soil, intertwined with microbes and moisture—holds key insights into nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and overall plant health. For decades, scientists have relied on soil coring and lab scanning to study roots, but the process is time-consuming and inherently… Continue reading…
How Does Elevated Carbon Dioxide Affect Leaf Area in Plants?
Leaf area increase is a consistent vegetation response to elevated carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. The increase in leaf area declines due to long-term exposure of vegetation to carbon dioxide. Various intrinsic and external factors moderate the increase in leaf area due to elevated carbon dioxide. Elevated carbon dioxide concentrations from anthropogenic sources are… Continue reading…
