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ci-202 vs ci-203 leaf area meter comparison

CI‑202 vs CI‑203: Which Leaf Area Meter Fits Your Field Work?

November 3, 2025 at 10:20 pm | Updated November 3, 2025 at 10:32 pm | 12 min read

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…

Fixed leaf image

Additional 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…

What is the Importance of Leaf Area Index?

Leaf area index (LAI) is a key vegetation parameter used in plant research. Global collections of LAI show that plantations have the highest LAI and deserts have the least LAI. Temperate forests have higher LAI than tropical forests. LAI is used to increase food security, support forest research and management, and track the effects of… Continue reading…

Root Structure and Function Gradients in Salt Marshes

Salt marshes are unique ecosystems characterized by micro-heterogeneity in elevation, soil, tidal inundation, salinity, and oxygen availability. In these extreme conditions, plants are adapted to each zone, so root traits also vary. Root biomass, density, tissue type, and size of roots are adapted for each of the three prominent zones in salt marshes. Salt marshes… Continue reading…

What Is Crop Coefficient and Is It Essential for Irrigation Efficiency?

To optimize irrigation without excessive water use, the actual water lost through crop evapotranspiration is replaced during watering. The crop coefficient provides information based on crop characteristics that can be used in models for indirect estimation of actual crop evapotranspiration. Crop coefficients are specific for crops, cultivars, regions, local climate, soil, and agricultural management practices.… Continue reading…

What Is Root System Architecture and Why Is It Vital for Growth?

The root system architecture (RSA) is dynamic and can change due to age, environmental conditions, and nutrient status within a species or plant. RSA plays a significant role in the underground basic plant functioning of anchorage and foraging for nutrients and water. RSA changes to respond to abiotic stresses in soil, like temperature, drought, salinity,… Continue reading…

How Do Organic Fertilizers and Photosynthetic Rate Work Together?

Most research findings show that organic fertilizers improve the crop’s photosynthetic rate. The improvement occurs through increased photosynthetic efficiency, increased leaf number and area, and enhanced leaf chlorophyll content. Organic fertilizers enhance the soil’s nutrient status to support better plant growth and health, which increases crop photosynthetic rate. In many cases, organic fertilizers were more… Continue reading…