Photosynthesis: research reaches new height in Washington

摘要

Full-canopy photosynthesis research is ballooning in Washington orchards. To measure the invisible, chemistry must resort to micromoles, each of which is a millionth of a mole, a mole being 6.022 times 1023 molecules, of CO_2, for instance. Such miniscule concentrations can really matter in tree fruit research, and when they do, the setup for experiments can be hugely visible. That was the case in two photosynthesis studies that got under way at Washington State University (WSU) orchards in Prosserand Wenatchee last summer, where visitors were surprised by clear Mylar balloons encasing whole cherry and apple trees, respectively.