Articles
What Is Nitrogen Deposition? How It Affects Plant Growth and Photosynthesis
Nitrogen (N) deposition from air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and ammonia has been increasing for over a century, with no signs of a halt. N-deposition effects on growth, leaf traits, and physiological processes are species-specific and are influenced by other environmental factors. Positive effects occur as long as N deposition is moderate; higher doses,… Continue reading…
Additional reading
20 FAQs Every New CI‑340 User Asks
If you just started working with the CI-340 Handheld Photosynthesis System, you probably have a list of practical questions. That is normal. Even experienced plant physiologists want to know how a new gas exchange system will perform in real field conditions. The CI-340 Handheld Photosynthesis System is designed to make photosynthesis measurements straightforward, portable, and… Continue reading…
8 Reasons Root Imaging Tech is Gaining Importance in Plant Science
Root imaging technology is quickly becoming a central tool in plant science. For decades, researchers focused heavily on aboveground measurements such as leaf area, canopy structure, gas exchange, and spectral reflectance. Those metrics still matter. But more scientists now recognize that understanding what happens belowground is just as critical. Roots drive nutrient uptake, water acquisition,… Continue reading…
7 Funding Agencies That Require Leaf Area or LAI Data in Proposals
Leaf area index data shows up in more grant calls than many researchers expect. Whether you are studying crop productivity, forest carbon dynamics, ecosystem resilience, or climate adaptation, reviewers often want quantitative canopy metrics. Leaf area index data connects plant structure to function. It links canopy architecture to light interception, water use, carbon exchange, and… Continue reading…
7 Spectral Leaf Metrics You Should Know (and their instrument requirements)
Understanding spectral leaf metrics is now central to plant phenotyping, crop management, and stress physiology. As spectral leaf metrics become more integrated into field workflows, researchers need tools that move beyond theory and deliver reliable measurements under real conditions. Whether you are tracking nutrient status, quantifying canopy structure, or linking pigment shifts to gas exchange,… Continue reading…
5 Software Tools Compatible with Canopy Image Analysis
Canopy image analysis software plays a central role in turning field images into usable, quantitative data. Whether you are calculating leaf area index, measuring gap fraction, or modeling light interception, the quality of your analysis depends on both the instrument and the software you choose. For researchers using the CI-110 Plant Canopy Imager, selecting the… Continue reading…
3 Metrics That Matter More Than Leaf Area Index
Leaf Area Index has long been a standard metric in canopy research, but LAI alone rarely tells the full story. If you rely only on Leaf Area Index to interpret plant performance, you are likely missing critical context about function, stress, and productivity. Leaf Area Index is useful, but it is structural. It describes how… Continue reading…
