Contributor: Givemore Munashe Makonya Plant photosynthetic health is an important part of producing high yielding and quality crops. A reliable approach to quantify photosynthetic health is by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence, which is the re-emission of red wavebands by chlorophyll molecules in plants. This occurs during photosynthesis and serves as a key indicator of plant vitality. […]
Contributors: Wendy Hoashi-Erhardt and Michael Hardigan Breeding for heat tolerance is a crucial approach to beat the heat and overcome the challenges of high temperatures in agriculture. The heat tolerance of caneberry cultivars varies due to their genetics. In the Pacific Northwest, Michael Hardigan, a research geneticist at the United States Department of Agriculture in […]
Contributor: Givemore Munashe Makonya Measuring photosynthesis provides an insight into how plants respond to changing environmental conditions. But before delving into the specifics, let’s clarify what is photosynthesis and what it truly entails. Essentially, photosynthesis is the conversion of light energy into chemical energy, producing sugars that fuel plant growth and make raspberries and blackberries […]
Maintaining the optimal temperature for caneberries during the summer’s hot weather is vital to minimize crop losses and ensure high quality berries. One promising method to combat the heat is the implementation of evaporative cooling systems. The principle behind evaporative cooling is harnessing the power of water to absorb ambient heat. As water molecules absorb this […]
Raspberry and blackberry consumption, collectively called “caneberries”, is at an all-time high as consumers gain awareness of the health-promoting attributes of these tasty fruits. The Pacific Northwest’s historically cooler summer climate used to provide an ideal environment for successful caneberry growth. However, the Pacific Northwest’s weather has started to shift due to climate change and […]