CID Bio-Science, Inc.

02/26/2025

Did you know? Over 50% of a plant’s biomass is hidden underground—yet traditional farming and breeding methods have ignored this vital system. What if understanding roots better could revolutionize crop resilience, boost yields, and improve soil health? We cover this in this week's Wednesday research review!

This week, we're diving into groundbreaking research that scaled up minirhizotron technology to study thousands of root systems—without disturbing a single plant. Scientists installed over 3,000 underground imaging tubes to capture root growth in real-world field conditions, collecting over 300,000 high-resolution images in days instead of months. The results? Clear insights into how roots adapt to soil conditions, access water, and drive plant success.

🔬 How did they do it?
The research team used tractor-mounted hydraulic corers to rapidly install angled minirhizotron tubes, allowing for non-invasive, high-throughput root imaging. With minirhizotron cameras, they captured detailed images of root distribution across different genotypes and environments—data that was previously impossible to gather at this scale.

🚀 What does this mean for YOU?
Farmers & Agronomists: Optimize irrigation and nutrient management based on real root behavior.
Crop Breeders: Identify genetic traits linked to deeper, more efficient root systems for drought resilience.
Ag Tech & Equipment Developers: Innovate around automated root imaging and AI-driven analysis to push agriculture forward.

The bottom line? Roots matter more than we ever realized. Understanding them is key to the future of sustainable farming.

👉 What do you think? Could root imaging transform the way we grow crops? Drop your thoughts below & follow along every for more insights you can use! ⬇️

Check out the full research: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-022-00874-2

02/25/2025

Can machine learning predict fruit quality before harvest? 🍏🤖

Turns out—it can. A study on ‘Braeburn’ apples found that a machine learning model using multivariate time series data could predict core browning and firmness before storage. This kind of insight could help optimize storage conditions and reduce post-harvest losses.

That’s just one of the great studies we found in this month’s 'In The Field' research round-up, where we explore:

🔬 The best LED light spectrum for boosting lettuce growth
🔬 How high hydrostatic pressure enhances bioactive compounds in fruit
🔬 Carbonic anhydrase’s surprising role in tree adaptation
🔬 The impact of fertilizer and density on grapefruit root microbiomes

Check out the full research breakdown here: https://ow.ly/8HKl50V6ghp

And if you’ve used CID Bio-Science or Felix Instruments tools in your research, we’d love to feature your work next month! Leave a comment.

02/21/2025

Canopy cover plays a bigger role in climate resilience than we thought! 🌎

A 2024 study highlights how tree quality—leaf area index (LAI), transpiration rates, and drought response strategies—is just as critical as canopy size in mitigating urban heat. 🌡️

💡 Key takeaways:
✅ Cities worldwide are aiming for 30% canopy cover to combat rising temperatures.
✅ Not all trees cool equally—species with high LAI and strategic water use provide stronger benefits.
✅ Research suggests a global need to optimize urban tree selection for maximum cooling efficiency.

With urban heatwaves on the rise, should cities prioritize tree quantity or quality? 🤔

Read the full article here: https://ow.ly/hUmA50V4qFC

02/19/2025

🌱 Wednesday Research Review: Can Changing How You Plant Transform Your Yield?

Did you know that how you manage your soil could be the key to better fruit quality, higher yields, and stronger plants—especially in drought conditions? A recent study on Tahiti acid lime revealed that no-tillage (NT) with mulching significantly outperforms conventional tillage (CT) in almost every way.

🔬 What They Found:
◾️ 40% higher root development in NT vs. CT, leading to stronger trees.
◾️ Increased water retention, reducing stress on the plants.
◾️ Higher fruit yield over three harvests, with better juice content and faster ripening.
◾️ Drought-tolerant rootstocks (IAC 3152 Itajobi) performed best, making trees more resilient.

🛠 How They Discovered This:
Using the CI-600 root scanner, researchers tracked real-time root growth over multiple seasons. The data showed NT trees developed deeper, healthier root systems, improving their ability to absorb water and nutrients.

💡 What This Means for You:
Whether you're in farming, agribusiness, or crop research, these insights can shape better decisions:
✅ Growers → Improve soil health and water efficiency with NT & mulching.
✅ Agronomists → Recommend rootstocks like IAC 3152 Itajobi for better drought resistance.
✅ Food Industry & Supply Chain → Support sustainably grown citrus for better quality fruit.

Full study here:
https://ow.ly/kHTu50UZQBb

📢 What do you think—are we underestimating the power of soil management? Drop your thoughts below, and don’t forget to check back next Wednesday for another ! 👇

02/17/2025

Have you heard about the new Grape Quality Meter from Felix Instruments?

The F-751 Grape Quality Meter helps you assess grape quality without damaging your fruit—and we’re showing you how in a live webinar!

📅 When: February 18th at 9 AM PST
🎙 Hosted by: Galen George, Director of Applied Science at Felix Instruments

What you’ll get:
✅ Easier, non-destructive quality control
✅ More precise harvest decisions
✅ Better calibration for consistent results
✅ Live Q&A—ask anything!

This is worth your time if you grow, sell, or process grapes.

📩 Save your spot: https://tinyurl.com/4zh4c9fh

02/13/2025

🌞 Harnessing Photosynthesis for Renewable Energy 🌱

What if we could turn sunlight and CO₂ into clean, sustainable fuel? That’s exactly what microalgae and artificial photosynthesis aim to do!

🔹 Microalgae biofuels offer a high-yield, eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels, with species like Botryococcus braunii producing up to 80% oil content

🔹 Artificial photosynthesis (APS) mimics nature, using semiconductors to capture sunlight and generate hydrocarbons & hydrogen, paving the way for carbon-negative energy solutions.

🚀 While scalability remains a challenge, ongoing research in genetic engineering, optimized catalysts, and hybrid systems is accelerating progress.

Could these technologies redefine our energy future? Let’s discuss! ⚡🌍

02/06/2025

Minirhizotron imaging is changing how we track nematode damage in crops—detecting root infections before visible symptoms appear.

Learn how this non-destructive method is helping to improve root health and crop resilience. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/ytyrv6d2

02/05/2025

🌱 Soil Compaction Costs Up to 70% in Yield Loss—Can Root Science Change That?

New research shows plants sense soil compaction through ethylene diffusion, altering root growth, branching, and water uptake. This discovery shifts our understanding—mechanical resistance isn’t the only factor limiting root expansion.

📌 Key findings:
✔ Ethylene accumulation in compacted soils signals roots to thicken and slow growth
✔ Root tip shape impacts penetration—sharper tips push through better
✔ Mucilage secretion helps reduce soil friction, aiding root expansion
✔ Targeting ethylene response could breed crops better suited to compacted soils

With climate change intensifying soil stress, leveraging root adaptations could be key to sustainable yield improvements.

🔬 Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/h778rz95

01/30/2025

Optimize your tomato research with the CI-710s SpectraVue! 🌱🍅

By analyzing light absorption, reflectance, and transmission, the CI-710s provides real-time data to better understand your tomato plants' health, photosynthetic efficiency, and overall growth.

Whether you're fine-tuning light conditions in a greenhouse or studying field-grown crops, the CI-710s empowers you to make data-driven decisions. 📊✨

01/29/2025

🌱 Wednesday Research Review: Can Soil Conditions Tip the Scales in Forestry Success?

Ever wonder why some trees struggle to thrive, even in perfect-looking environments? Turns out, the water in your soil might be doing more harm than good!

🔍 This Week’s Highlight: Researchers examined how soil water conditions—from drought to waterlogging—impact the growth of Japanese white birch trees, a key species in forestry, and their competition with invasive perennial w**ds like Eupatorium. Spoiler: waterlogged soils are bad news for birch trees trying to outgrow the competition!

What They Found:

Birch trees don’t play well with waterlogged soils. Photosynthesis dropped, and their growth stalled. The competition? Eupatorium thrives in wet conditions, making it harder for birch trees to succeed.
Moderately dry soils? A game-changer for birch regeneration. When water was limited but balanced, birch trees were more competitive, outgrowing w**ds in height and biomass.

How They Did It: The researchers used advanced tools, including the CI-710S spectrometer, to measure leaf absorptance and calculate photosynthesis efficiency. By comparing birch and w**d performance under different watering regimes, they uncovered species-specific responses to water stress.

What This Means for You:

🌱 In forestry and agriculture, keep soil moisture in check. Too much water can invite competitors to outgrow your crops or plants.
💡 For farmers, landscapers, and researchers, leveraging tools like the CI-710S can reveal how soil and water conditions impact plant health, helping you make data-driven decisions.
🚜 No matter your role, this research is a reminder: soil management is as important as planting!

Want actionable insights like these every week? Join us every Wednesday for a fresh dive into research you can use. Let us know—how are you managing soil water conditions? Drop your tips and questions below!

Check out the full research here: https://tinyurl.com/bdee8sa5

For a successful natural regeneration of Japanese white birch (Betula platyphylla var. japonica), competitive vegetation should be managed. Here, we clarifie...

01/27/2025

🌿 Meet the CI-202 Portable Laser Leaf Area Meter – your go-to tool for precise and rapid leaf area measurement! 🌿

With over 790 research papers and 450 unique publications featuring its use, the CI-202 has become a trusted companion for researchers worldwide. 🌎

Here’s what makes it stand out:
✅ Used by horticulturists, ecologists, agronomists, and more.
✅ Trusted in 75 countries and supported in 85 locations globally.
✅ Proven effective across 600+ plant species in every imaginable environment – from tropical jungles to Arctic tundra.

📊 Want to explore more impressive stats and see the CI-202 in action? Download the full infographic to learn about the innovative features changing how we study plants!

🔗: https://tinyurl.com/3yx272kw

01/23/2025

Could This Packaging Method Keep Berries Fresher and Longer?

This month’s In the Field has essential reads for agricultural pros and researchers:

1️⃣ Wheat in dry conditions: Explore how deep-root growth in amended soil boosts yield and resilience. 🌾
2️⃣ Berry preservation: See how modified atmosphere packaging extends freshness for Rubus berries. 🍓
3️⃣ Fertilizer evolution: Discover the impact of switching from urea to nano-urea for rice-wheat systems. 🌾
4️⃣ Food nanofabrics: Learn about eco-friendly packaging made from natural polypeptides and polyphenols. 🧃
5️⃣ Tomato care in heat: Optimize greenhouse micro-spray patterns for hotter climates. 🍅

📩 Got research with CID or Felix tools? Let us feature your study next month!

Dive into this edition: https://tinyurl.com/25rmyevc

01/22/2025

🌾 Can deeper roots hold the key to drought resilience?

This week, we’re diving into research that explored how elevated CO2 levels and drought stress impact the root systems of winter wheat. The results could transform how we approach agriculture in a changing climate. 🌱

💡 Here’s what researchers found:
◾️ Elevated CO2 boosted wheat grain yield by up to 9%, even under drought conditions.
◾️ Varieties like Mv Karizma showed remarkable adaptability, with deeper roots reaching critical water reserves and minimal yield loss during dry spells.
◾️ Root systems grew more evenly across soil profiles under higher CO2, optimizing water and nutrient uptake.

🔬 How did they uncover this?
Researchers used the advanced CI-600 in situ root imager to track root growth across multiple soil depths throughout the season. This tool provided a real-time look at how wheat adapted to stress without disturbing the plants—fantastic for understanding root dynamics.

🌍 What can you do with this knowledge?
Farmers: Choose drought-tolerant wheat varieties with deeper root systems for resilient yields.
Agronomists: Use these insights to guide irrigation and fertilization practices.
Researchers: Explore how CO2 levels could enhance crop performance under stress.

👉 Why it matters: With droughts increasing worldwide, understanding how plants adapt at the root level is essential for safeguarding our food supply.

💬 What do you think of this week's findings? How could you use this research in your role? Let us know below and join us next Wednesday for more insights that can shape the future of agriculture. 🚜

01/21/2025

💡 Leaf size matters!

In hot and dry climates, plants with smaller leaves transpire faster to stay cool and maintain nutrient uptake, which is crucial for survival under intense conditions. Similarly, in cold, dry regions with high radiation, smaller leaves also excel in supporting hydraulic movements and carbon fixation.

🌿 Why it’s important: Transpiration influences water use efficiency, nutrient availability, and plant growth. As climate conditions fluctuate, understanding how leaf area impacts transpiration becomes critical for researchers and agricultural professionals.

🌎 Let’s explore how leaf traits shape plant ecology and resilience.

🔗 Dive into the full article: https://ow.ly/R43G50UKlw0

01/16/2025

Cocoa Farming Meets Innovation: Dr. Abdulai’s Climate-Resilient Research 🍫

Dr. Issaka Abdulai, inspired by his Ghanaian roots, is revolutionizing cocoa farming. At the University of Göttingen, he’s using CID Bio-Science tools like the Root Imager to identify shade trees that enhance drought resilience and sustainability.

His findings? Deciduous trees improve cocoa productivity under drought conditions—offering real hope for smallholder farmers.

Discover how his work is shaping the future of cocoa farming in our recent article:
🔗: https://ow.ly/RO9b50UFuY9

01/15/2025

Did you know the secret to doubling wheat yields could be hidden beneath our feet?

This week’s research spotlight dives into a new study tackling a pressing issue for agriculture: improving crop performance in water-limited, compacted, and acidic soils. It involves optimizing root systems in ways you’ve probably never considered!

Researchers found that addressing two typical soil constraints—subsoil acidity and compaction—drastically improved root growth, water and nutrient uptake, and wheat yields. By incorporating lime and loosening the soil to 45 cm depths, they achieved:
🌾 A 75% increase in root density at deeper soil levels.
💧 More efficient water use, even under low rainfall conditions.
📈 Wheat yields more than doubled, from 1.33 t/ha in untreated soil to 3.57 t/ha in treated plots.

How did they uncover this?
Using the CI-600 root scanner, researchers captured non-destructive, high-resolution images of root growth over the season. This technology revealed that deeper and healthier root systems, supported by the right soil management practices, can tap into hidden reserves of water and nutrients.

Why should this matter to you?
Whether you’re managing fields, advising farmers, or innovating in agtech, these findings highlight actionable strategies:
◾️ Tackle multiple soil constraints simultaneously for more significant gains.
◾️ Prioritize root health—it’s the foundation of crop resilience and yield.
◾️ Use data-driven insights and modern tools like the CI-600 to guide sustainable practices.

✨ What could deeper roots mean for your operations? Let’s discuss below! Share your thoughts and tune in next week for more insights you can apply to your role in the agriculture industry.

👉 Follow to stay ahead in ag science and innovation!

01/14/2025

🚜 Ever wonder why grafted fruit trees behave differently depending on their rootstock? It’s not just about genetics – the hidden factor is hydraulic conductance.

Rootstocks don’t just anchor plants; they regulate water availability, affecting scion growth, drought tolerance, and yield efficiency. For example:
🔸 Vigorous rootstocks = more water, more growth.
🔸 Dwarfing rootstocks = limited water, focused yield.

This balance of water flow, called Graft Hydraulic Balance, shapes how plants respond to drought, signaling when to grow or conserve energy.

Understanding and selecting the right rootstock could revolutionize crop management and improve water efficiency in fruit production!

01/09/2025

Does Forest Canopy Structure Affect Net Primary Production?

Recent research highlights a fascinating insight – the structural complexity of forest canopies has a more significant impact on net primary production (NPP) than species diversity. As forests age, become denser, and develop more complex canopies, they enhance carbon sequestration and productivity.

Structurally diverse forests optimize light capture across layers, increasing biomass production and ecological resilience. With climate change on the horizon, could focusing on canopy structure be the key to managing carbon sinks more effectively?

🔗 Read the full article here: https://ow.ly/xCoE50UBXtO