Articles
Ecosystem-Level Root Production and Mortality in Response to Climate Change
Increasing carbon dioxide produces various root production and root mortality trends in different ecosystems Temperature rises increase root production, with diverse effects on root mortality. Drought can initially increase root production, but as water deficit intensity and duration increase, it reduces root production and increases root mortality. Differences in root quantification methods can make global… Continue reading…
Additional reading
Is the CI‑340 Accurate Enough for Photosynthesis Rate Comparisons?
For researchers running photosynthesis rate comparisons, the real question is usually not whether a handheld system can produce useful data. It is whether the instrument is stable, repeatable, and flexible enough to support side by side measurements across treatments, genotypes, environments, or time points. On that standard, the CI-340 makes a strong case. CID Bio-Science… Continue reading…
Do I Need a Laptop to Operate the CI‑110?
If you are wondering, “do I need a laptop to operate the CI-110,” the practical answer is no. The CI-110 Plant Canopy Imager is designed to work as a self-contained field instrument, which is a big deal when you are collecting canopy data outside the lab. Instead of building your workflow around a separate computer,… Continue reading…
What’s the Difference Between Gap‑Fraction and PAR Methods in Canopy Analysis?
When researchers compare canopy analysis methods, the conversation usually comes down to one practical question: do you want to estimate canopy structure from images of the canopy itself, or from the light that makes it through the canopy? That is the core difference between gap-fraction and PAR methods. Both are used to estimate leaf area… Continue reading…
Can the CI‑710s SpectraVue Be Used on Trees and Shrubs, or Only Crops?
If you are evaluating a leaf spectrometer for field work, the short answer is yes: the CI-710s SpectraVue is not limited to crops. It is built for plant researchers working across crops, trees, shrubs, and broader environmental systems. CID Bio-Science positions the CI-710s for crop optimization, forest productivity and sustainability, and environmental research, which makes… Continue reading…
Why Are My LAI Values Higher Than Expected and How Do I Check the Instrument?
If your leaf area index readings seem too high, the first thing to know is that high leaf area index values are not always caused by a faulty instrument. In many cases, the issue comes from measurement setup, image conditions, thresholding choices, canopy structure, or how the instrument is being used in the field. With… Continue reading…
Is It Worth Buying the Laser Leaf Area Meter (CI‑202) for Small‑Scale Breeding Trials?
When evaluating tools for breeding work, the question often comes down to efficiency versus cost. A laser leaf area meter is one of those instruments that can either streamline your workflow or feel like overkill, depending on your scale. For researchers running small-scale breeding trials, the CI-202 portable laser leaf area meter sits in an… Continue reading…
