Articles
CI‑110 vs Smartphone Fish‑Eye Canopy Solutions: Can cheap compete?
Researchers talk a lot about quick canopy imaging tricks lately, especially when phone apps promise convenience. Those tools attract interest because they cost almost nothing and sit in every pocket. Still, when you compare them to a true plant canopy imager, the differences grow obvious fast. The CI-110 sits in a class of its own… Continue reading…
Additional reading
Complete Buyer’s Guide to Leaf Area Measurement Instruments
Understanding leaf area measurement is central to plant physiology, agronomy, forestry, and ecology. Researchers rely on accurate leaf metrics to track growth, predict crop performance, analyze stress response, and quantify traits across treatments. With several tools available in the research market, knowing what to choose can be overwhelming. This guide breaks down the major instrument… Continue reading…
How to Choose a Canopy Analyzer: What to Look For in 2025
Choosing a canopy analyzer in 2025 is not as straightforward as picking the newest device on the market. Plant scientists, ecologists, foresters and agronomists rely on these instruments to quantify canopy structure, estimate LAI, evaluate light environments and understand how vegetation interacts with the atmosphere. Because the canopy analyzer plays such a central role in… Continue reading…
Buyer Checklist: Root Imagers for Crop‑Rhizosphere Research
Selecting the right root imagers for crop rhizosphere research is a practical decision that often determines the quality and reliability of underground data. Roots change constantly as they respond to water, nutrients, texture, biota, and management. Capturing these responses in situ requires imaging systems that are stable, portable, and able to deliver clear, repeatable scans… Continue reading…
Budgeting for Plant Physiology Equipment: Total Cost of Ownership Explained
Researchers often focus on the upfront price of plant physiology equipment, but the long term picture is shaped by maintenance, usability, reliability, and operational efficiency. Understanding the total cost of ownership is essential for making informed decisions, especially when equipment will be used for multi year projects, field campaigns, or collaborative studies. In this article,… Continue reading…
Selecting Leaf Area, Canopy, and Spectral Instruments for Major Crop Types
Choosing the right crop measurement instruments is one of the most important decisions researchers make before beginning a new project. Each crop type presents its own structural, physiological, and environmental challenges. Leaf size, canopy density, growth habit, and pigment composition all influence what tools will deliver accurate and repeatable data. CID Bio-Science designs instruments that… Continue reading…
What to Ask Your Supplier Before Buying a Plant Measurement Tool
Buying a plant measurement tool is rarely a casual purchase. These instruments sit at the center of data collection, and the quality of your results often depends on how well the tool matches your research goals. Whether you are measuring leaf area, photosynthesis, canopy structure, roots, or spectral properties, asking the right questions upfront can… Continue reading…
