Latest plant-stress

Root Structure and Function Gradients in Salt Marshes

September 15, 2025 at 4:17 pm | Updated September 15, 2025 at 4:17 pm | 12 min read

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…

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How Plant Science is Advancing Sustainability in Agriculture

Sustainability in Agriculture covers economic profits, environmental health, and social equity. Sustainable agriculture involves safeguarding humans, conserving natural resources, and improving the quality and quantity of profitable production throughout the food supply chain. Plant science aims to increase productivity with less inputs, chemicals, and water and more reliance on natural processes and onsite resources. Plant… Continue reading…

What is Senescence in Trees and Why Is It Important?

Senescence occurs at the cell, tissue, organs, and individual levels. Organ senescence is consequential in trees as it helps “recycle materials” within an individual tree to maintain function and productivity. Organ and whole tree senescence are also crucial for nutrient cycling, wildlife diversity, and forest productivity. Senescence is an integral part of all living organisms,… 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…

Invisible Signals 2024: How To Use Plant Spectroscopy To Reveal Disease & Enhance Plant Health

Request a Quote  |  Schedule a Demo To view the full slide deck, click here. Video Description Did you miss our exclusive webinar on the latest advancements in Leaf Spectroscopy for 2024 featuring the Spectravue Leaf Spectrometer? Don’t worry. You can watch the full recording here! In this webinar, we covered: Impact on Plant Health:… Continue reading…

Understanding Drought Impact on Crop Yield: Stages, Mechanisms, and Adaptations.

Drought’s impact on crop yield affects plant stages differently, moderated by genotype and external environmental factors. Very early drought can inhibit germination and seedling establishment, reducing stand density and yield. Drought during reproductive and grain filling can reduce yield quantity and quality more than during the growth phases. Drought is the primary environmental stress crop… Continue reading…

Measuring Heat Stress on Forest Trees

The impact of high temperatures directly and alone on trees is significant without the associated drought. Heat effects are recorded at cellular, leaf, and tree levels, inhibiting tree growth and productivity or even mortality. More research is necessary to fully understand the effects of heat stress, which must be supported by on-site, non-destructive data collection… Continue reading…