6 Essential Applications of Leaf Spectrometers

6 Essential Applications of Leaf Spectrometers   Leaf spectrometers collect and analyze reflected, transmitted, or absorbed light to provide vital plant information. The parameters measured are chemical concentrations, color analysis, photochemical reactions, optical and physical properties of leaves, and the extinction coefficient of light. These properties are applied on various scales from leaf, and individual… Continue reading…

How is Human Activity Altering Forest Canopy Dynamics?

Forest disturbance alters microclimate, including light quality and quantity, that can have a far-reaching influence on forest structure and composition. Species need different wavelengths or quality of light for germination. Modulation of light by the canopy influences understory growth. Edge effects favor early succession species. Forests nowadays face unprecedented levels of disturbance from human activity.… Continue reading…

10 Vital Minirhizotron Applications for Agricultural Research

Minirhizotrons are a recent addition to a scientist’s toolbox, providing information on underground dynamics. Scientists can explore the relationship between roots and shoots along with the cumulative effect on crop yield. Using minirhizotron systems improves our knowledge of root responses to the environment, fertilizers, irrigation, and tillage, enhancing crop water and nutrient use efficiency. Ten… Continue reading…

Using Minirhizotrons in Wetland Studies

Understanding underground carbon fluxes in wetlands has been challenging since the standard methods have primarily been destructive. Non-destructive minirhizotrons were tested as a possible solution to studying underground dynamics. Minirhizotron installation, anchorage, image capture and analysis, and data upscaling recommendations are made to meet the needs of the unique environment of wetlands. A Methodological Framework… Continue reading…

Transpiration, Evapotranspiration, and Leaf Area Index

Increasing evapotranspiration due to global warming is changing the climate. Yet global estimates of transpiration, its major component, are not definite. Global transpiration estimates vary due to different methodologies, approaches, and scales. Including field data in global-scale models is crucial for accurately determining transpiration. Leaf Area Index is an excellent proxy for calculating transpiration by… Continue reading…

5 Ways to Improve Water Use Efficiency

Improving water use efficiency, the ratio of yield to water supplied can boost food production for a growing population without additional use of limited water resources. Water use efficiency for food production can be improved at the farm or plant level. On farms, this can be achieved through optimized management. At the plant level, improvements… Continue reading…

Testing the Effects of Light Quality on Red Lettuce

Health-conscious consumers increasingly demand nutritious, high-quality food, causing stakeholders to closely monitor the bio composition of food products. Phytochemicals with antioxidant properties are some of the most sought-after nutraceuticals.  Phytochemical levels can be, in large part, determined by light quality, which is necessary for crop productivity. Therefore, a study wanted to find what effect light-filtering… Continue reading…

Precision Agriculture Policy & Adoption Outlook 2023

Precision agriculture is being branded as Agriculture 4 – the next revolution to make food production more profitable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Even though its adoption is uneven, the use of precision agriculture has been increasing consistently for the last several years. This article will review precision agriculture technologies, their adoption, and how precision agriculture… Continue reading…

Canopy Measurement of Urban Green Spaces for Temperature Moderation

In this sub-tropical research study, scientists examined the area and shape of parks, leaf area index, canopy density, and proximity to bodies of water. The study found one feature, above others, to be decisive in the cooling of urban spaces. Let’s dive in and explore their findings. The Experiment Suzhou Industrial Park, the site chosen… Continue reading…

Crop Water Use Efficiency Explained

What is Crop Water Use Efficiency? Generally, water use efficiency can be defined in many ways: economical, conveyance, or field application. These approaches focus on the management aspects of a crop and are important in farms, as they deal with investment, engineering, and soil characteristics that influence water supply to crops. More specifically, crop water… Continue reading…