How Good is Wastewater For Irrigation?

Water use is increasing at twice the rate of the population, and many places on earth are reaching the limit of their capacity to supply water. Agriculture that uses 70% of the water withdrawn can be a part of the solution to this problem. Using reclaimed water for agriculture is one of the possibilities. More… Continue reading…

Higher Temperatures Hurt Cash Crops

Temperature is one of the essential factors that influence plant physiological processes. Its influence can be felt from germination to the production of fruits in plants. Thus, the rising temperatures associated with climate change could have a profound impact on crops and their productivity. These are some questions that are being explored by scientists through… Continue reading…

Controlling Nitrogen Fertilization for Crops

Nitrogen deficiency is one of the main reasons for low crop yields. Research is focusing on plant physiology and morphology to make a more accurate estimation of nutrient needs. As studies diversify and become more in-depth, new precision tools useful in the field are needed. Hence, many complicated technologies have been miniaturized into portable and… Continue reading…

WEBINAR THIS WEEK- Shedding a Light on Photosynthesis: How researchers are using photosynthesis in 2020 + guest researcher Stephanie Wedryk, Director of R&D, RX Green Technologies

Join our Staff Scientist, Eric Munoz-Garcia, on June 4, at 8am PST, as he takes us through several real studies applying photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in recent research. We’ll also be joined by special guest Stephanie Wedryk, Director of Research and Development at RX Green Technologies, as she talks about her study of photosynthesis in… Continue reading…

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…

Modifying Genetics, Physiology, and Biochemistry to Improve Drought Responses in Crops

Drought is the most common stress and has the largest effect on the growth and production of crops. Nearly a fourth of agricultural areas worldwide are affected by water shortage. Plants adapt to drought by altering their genetics, physiology, and biochemistry. Hence, these traits are being used to screen new cultivars, which can sustain growth… Continue reading…

Advances in Phytoremediation

Phytoremediation has many proponents to treat widespread chemical contaminants in soil, water, and air. It is low-cost, eco-friendly, and doesn’t require complicated technology and infrastructure. As it is a new branch of science, it is necessary to understand the processes involved in the different methods of phytoremediation to advise decision-making for application of this technology.… 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…