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Chlorophyll Fluorescence Detects Water Stress

Developing drought stress tolerance is one of the major targets of many crop breeding programs. Precise and efficient tools to measure drought stress is a vital requirement of these projects. One of the methods widely used by researchers is the measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence. Understanding the concept and the various plant processes that shape it… Continue reading…

Detect Stress by Measuring Photosynthesis

Plants face many environmental stresses, such as light, moisture, nutrients, temperature, and pollutants. Many of these factors are essential for plant growth, in optimum quantities; however, a dearth or excess can cause stress. As part of the plant’s overall response to stress, photosynthesis, which is one of the most important metabolic activities, also gets affected.… Continue reading…

A Tale of Two Lichens: Adaptations to Extreme Climate

In many extreme ecosystems, like deserts and polar regions, lichens play an important role as major carbon fixers and primary producers. Due to climate change, precipitation is expected to decrease and periods of dryness will lengthen. Lichens’ tolerance to periodic desiccation can make them vital for maintaining the carbon balance not only in their own… Continue reading…

INTERVIEW: SpectraVue Launch With Fresh Plaza

Let’s talk about SpectraVue – the new leaf spectrometer for research and agriculture! Application Scientist, Galen George, and Fresh Plaza’s North America Editor, Marieke Hemmes sit down for a chat about the new SpectraVue Leaf Spectrometer and its applications in agriculture. Read the article in Fresh Plaza. Interested in receiving a quote? Request pricing here.

Root Analysis in the Field: Industries & Uses

Crops, Nutrients, Irrigation & Root Analysis Analysis of the root system is important in ensuring sustainable crop production, reducing nutrient input and irrigation, and protecting soil carbon pools. Getting rapid and frequent images of what is happening underground can help people make timely decisions about agricultural practices to maintain plant health and ensure the judicious… Continue reading…

Stock photography of faculty and labs at the Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) on Wednesday, May 29th, 2019.

How the University of Florida Uses 200 Root Tube Installations with the CI-602 Root Imager

The University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Plant Root Biology Laboratory led by Dr. Lorenzo Rossi is located at the Indian River Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS IRREC) in Fort Pierce, Florida. Situated in the heart of the premiere grapefruit growing region of the world, the lab primarily uses the CI-602… Continue reading…

How to Analyze Photosynthesis in Plants: Methods and Tools

Photosynthesis: Why is it important? Life as we know it would be impossible without photosynthesis. Outside of providing the essential elements that support life on earth, photosynthesis is of special importance to the food and agriculture industry, as well as for ecologists studying climate change. In addition, there are many commercial enterprises which depend heavily… Continue reading…

The Latest Advances in Photosynthesis Measurement

Photosynthesis Update 2019 Photosynthesis is undoubtedly one of the most important physiological processes on Earth. It is the process by which plants, algae, and bacteria produce food. Photosynthesis makes these organisms the primary producers of the earth, as all other organisms feed on them for their energy source. People depend on this important process for… Continue reading…

NIR & Spectroscopy in Agriculture & Crop Science

According to a review by Dr. Crocombe, hand-held spectrometers have historically been used by only small groups of people, such as analytical and drug companies. These days, spectroscopy is available in simple low cost devices for a multitude of applications for scientists and non-scientists alike. One of the most prominent uses of spectroscopy has been… Continue reading…

Leaf Spectroscopy

The Vast Applications for Spectroscopy in Plant Research Spectroscopy is a precise and non-destructive technique that can tell us about several processes going on in plants and trees. After being integrated into small handheld devices, it can provide instant and accurate results in the field, forests, and laboratories. It replaces several conventional methods, which were… Continue reading…