Latest leaves
How Does Plant Architecture and Water Use Efficiency Impact Crop Yields?
The effects of different plant architectures on population-level evapotranspiration are not well-known. Plant architecture influences population structure, thereby altering the microclimate. Soil water use can be reduced through shading to minimize evaporation and by reducing canopy temperature. Around 97-99% of the water absorbed by plants is lost as transpiration. As water shortages are increasing and… Continue reading…
Additional reading
How Leaf Area Index Affects Yield
Leaf Area Index (LAI) varies with species, cultivars, growing conditions, and crop stages. The influence of LAI on yield will depend on the harvested portion of crops. An increase in LAI above a specific optimum value for fruits and seed crops will decrease yield. Leaf Area Index (LAI) is a standard vegetative trait correlated with… Continue reading…
How Does the Role of Senescence Affect Crop Productivity?
Senescence can determine and increase crop productivity. Selecting for cultivars with delayed senescence improves yield only in some species. Senescence increases plant phenotypic plasticity, helping it to adapt to abiotic stress. Senescence is a significant agricultural trait that affects crop growth, stress adaptation, yield, and postharvest storage. Plants are unusual as they can time senescence… Continue reading…
How Effective is Plant Cover for Soil Erosion Control?
Plant cover is the most cost-effective and efficient way to control soil erosion in large areas affected by deforestation, mining, etc. Soil erosion measures can also be incorporated in farmlands to prevent topsoil loss. Plant canopy parameters like extent, height, and architecture will determine the efficiency of soil erosion control. Soil erosion is a major… Continue reading…
Why Forest Protection Is Crucial for Our Future
Forest protection limits the various biotic and abiotic factors or their effects that reduce or degrade forests. Plant Science provides the theoretical basis for protecting forests. It focuses on tree morphology, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry to monitor structure, growth, function, and stress management. Advanced precision tools used onsite or remotely estimate several plant parameters non-destructively… Continue reading…
The CI-710s Leaf Spectrometer: A Researcher’s Perspective
In a recent discussion with Scott Trimble, Vice President of Marketing for Felix Instruments, researchers Saroj Burlakoti and Anju Chaudhary from Utah State University shared their experiences using the CI-710s Leaf Spectrometer. The conversation highlighted the instrument’s critical role in their research, focusing on ornamental plants, water conservation, and fertilizer reduction. This article summarizes the… Continue reading…
Can Spectroscopy Predict Leaf Traits Across Ecosystems?
Yes, but with caveats. Leaf traits are used to understand plant growth, functional diversity, and ecosystem processes. Several traits spanning functional groups and geographies can be easily predicted using general models based on spectral data. However, all models cannot have global applications without validation, as the relationship between traits and spectral data is not the… Continue reading…
