Plant science articles
What is Plant Productivity, and How to Measure It
Plant productivity provides society with ecosystem services and is the basis of all heterotrophic levels. Environmental factors like light, temperature, and precipitation, determined by latitudes, influence plant productivity patterns, which are most in the tropics and decrease towards the poles. The combined negative and positive interactions are essential biotic factors influencing plant productivity. Plant productivity… Continue reading…
Exploring Root Traits: Paving the Way for Sustainable Small Grain Cereal Production
The modern agriculture industry grapples with a complex challenge. As global demand for food grows and climate conditions become increasingly unpredictable, the need to enhance productivity and increase sustainable small-grain cereals, such as barley and wheat, has never been more urgent. Farmers face significant obstacles in the form of moisture deficits and the excessive use… Continue reading…
Role of Mycorrhizae in Agriculture
Among all the mycorrhizal associations, the arbuscular mycorrhizal associations are the most abundant and crucial for agriculture. The extended hyphal networks of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) increase water and nutrient availability and translocation for crop plants. By changing soil’s chemical and biological properties, the AMF improves nutrient cycling and ensures the biocontrol of soil diseases.… Continue reading…
Unraveling the Mystery of Perennial Wheat: A Root Structure Imaging Study
Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in the world, providing a substantial portion of the global population’s caloric intake. In recent years, researchers have been working to develop perennial wheat varieties that would allow the crop to survive for multiple years without the need for replanting. This wheat saves resources, reduces environmental… Continue reading…
Exploring Plant Nutrient Status: Q&A on Chlorophyll Fluorescence Measurements
This Q&A article explores the fascinating world of chlorophyll fluorescence, a process where plants emit light from energy loss during photosynthesis, and how it relates to plant nutrient status. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements provide valuable insights into plants’ photosynthetic efficiency and overall health, allowing researchers and agriculturalists to optimize nutrient management techniques. By utilizing advanced root… Continue reading…
The Role of Transpiration in Climate Change Adaptation Strategies
Transpiration is a key physiological process maintaining plant form, water balance, temperature, and nutrient absorption. Climate change-driven transpiration alterations occur due to increased CO2 levels, temperature, water deficit, and precipitation patterns. Adaptation strategies in agriculture, which will be the worst hit sector by climate change, target transpiration rate and its changes to improve productivity in… Continue reading…
The Role of Stomatal Conductance In the Global Carbon Cycle
The global carbon cycle is crucial as it supports the food chain of natural ecosystems and humans. People also depend on the carbon cycle for industrial systems. Excess greenhouse gases of anthropogenic origin, carbon dioxide, and methane, are now driving climate change. Like stomatal conductance, green plants’ role and processes are central to the carbon… Continue reading…
A Conversation with Forest Ecophysiologist Sybil Gotsch: Exploring Climate Change and Forest Productivity.
In this conversation between Galen George and Sybil Gotsch, a forest ecophysiologist based at the University of Kentucky, we gain insight into Gotsch’s research on how plants respond to stress and how different communities of plants are impacted by climate change. Gotsch shares her experiences leading fieldwork in Costa Rica and Georgia and her plans… Continue reading…
A Comprehensive Glossary of Plant Science Terms: Delving into the World of Botanical Research
Welcome to the fascinating world of plant science! This comprehensive glossary overviews essential plant research, physiology, and horticulture terms. Whether you’re a student, researcher, or plant enthusiast, understanding these terms will deepen your knowledge and appreciation of plants’ diverse and complex lives. Explore the glossary to discover the mechanisms behind plant growth, reproduction, adaptation, and… Continue reading…
Advancing Fruit Fly Suppression Research: The Role of the CI-203 Handheld Laser Leaf Area Meter
In recent years, fruit fly infestations have posed significant challenges to the agricultural industry, particularly fruit production. Among the problematic species, the Melon Fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae) and the Oriental Fruit Fly (B. dorsalis) have been particularly detrimental. Dr. Grant McQuate, a researcher at the USDA in Hilo, Hawaii, has devoted his career to understanding the… Continue reading…
