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What Is Nitrogen Deposition? How It Affects Plant Growth and Photosynthesis
Nitrogen (N) deposition from air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and ammonia has been increasing for over a century, with no signs of a halt. N-deposition effects on growth, leaf traits, and physiological processes are species-specific and are influenced by other environmental factors. Positive effects occur as long as N deposition is moderate; higher doses,… Continue reading…
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5 Important Research on Crop Water Use Efficiency in 2025
In 2025, findings on changes in crop production and water-use efficiency (WUE) under the current climate-change-driven drought scenario were a dominant trend. Many studies also focused on future-proofing crop production by improving WUE in different climate change scenarios. The number of variables considered is increasing to fill knowledge gaps and identify potential synergistic effects on… Continue reading…
What Is Leaf Area Index and Why Is It Essential for Plant and Climate Research?
Leaf area index (LAI) is one of the most widely used measurements for describing plant canopy structure and interactions with the environment in plant research. LAI is widely used in research because it can upscale crucial leaf physiological processes and is easy to compare across scales and ecosystems. It can be estimated from remote-sensed data… Continue reading…
What Is Root Senescence and Why Does It Matter in Plant Development?
Root senescence is typically an age-related process, although stress can lead to premature root decay. Root senescence occurs through programmed cell death, which is regulated by controls, some specific to roots and some common with leaf senescence. Root senescence occurs at different times across root types, and its progression depends on plant type. Leaf senescence… Continue reading…
What Is Root System Architecture and Why Does It Matter?
The root system architecture in plants is complex and dynamic. The factors that determine root form, structure, and function are plant type, root age, and environmental conditions. The available data is still insufficient to provide a comprehensive picture of the influence of factors on root system architecture. The function of root system architecture has been… Continue reading…
Watching Wetland Soils Change in Real Time: Auburn University’s Innovative Use of the CI-600 Rhizosphere Camera
Understanding how soils transition between oxidized and reduced states is essential for accurately classifying and protecting wetlands. Traditional techniques such as the Indicator of Reduction in Soils (IRIS) method provide valuable data. Still, they rely on periodic sampling and the destruction of multiple test tubes, limiting both temporal resolution and sustainability. Researchers at Auburn University… Continue reading…
CI-600 Root Imager vs. Soil Core + Lab Root Scanning: Which Is Faster and More Reliable?
Root research is one of the trickiest aspects of plant science. The hidden half of plants—buried in soil, intertwined with microbes and moisture—holds key insights into nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and overall plant health. For decades, scientists have relied on soil coring and lab scanning to study roots, but the process is time-consuming and inherently… Continue reading…
