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Understanding Plant Water Status: A Deeper Dive into VPD and Canopy Temperature

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After my recent post about the Hidden Complexities of VPD Measurements , and reading the comments, I realized I needed to provide more information on this topic. Let's assume we can obtain accurate canopy surface temperature data, target plant canopies are healthy (not affected by disease or pests), measurement timing is right, and we're dealing with a plant species that responds to VPD changes. Here are two key questions to consider: How should canopy surface temperature readings look like in a well-watered plant versus a water-stressed plant?   How can we take advantage of canopy temperature and VPD measurements?   Canopy-to-air temperature difference (ΔT = Tc - Ta) is fundamental. For most plant species responding to VPD, ΔT should be negative, signifying active transpiration. When plants close stomata due to water stress ( soil moisture deficit ), transpiration diminishes, and leaf surface temperature rises. Transpiration has a cooling effect on the leaf, similar to sweat...
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The Rise of the "Human Data Farms": A Satirical Look at the Future of AI

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  The race for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) has reached a fever pitch, with tech giants vying for dominance in the AI landscape. As Elon Musk has pointed out ( https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/09/elon-musk-data-ai-training-artificial-intelligence ), the increasing scarcity of data for training AI models is a significant challenge. But as data becomes increasingly scarce, a new and perhaps more sinister solution is emerging: the rise of the "Data Farms." Imagine a dystopian future where tech companies, desperate for the raw materials needed to fuel their AI models, begin constructing self-contained communities. These "Human Data Farms" would resemble a hyper-surveilled version of The Truman Show, where residents are paid handsomely to live their lives under constant observation. Every interaction, every conversation, every emotion – all meticulously recorded and fed into the insatiable maw of AI algorithms. This scenario, while seemingly absur...
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The Hidden Complexity of VPD Measurement

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  Recent advancements in AgriTech have seen a surge in the development of sophisticated sensors and AI-powered data analytics tools. While this technological leap promises significant improvements in agricultural practices, it's crucial to remember the fundamental biophysical principles that underpin these innovations. One area where this is particularly evident is in the measurement of Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD), a critical parameter for plant water use. This article will delve into the complexities of VPD measurement, highlighting the limitations of current approaches and emphasizing the importance of a strong foundation in plant physiology. The Importance of VPD VPD, essentially the difference between the water vapor pressure at saturation and the actual water vapor pressure in the air, is a key driver of plant water loss through transpiration. Standard Meteorological VPD  Traditionally, VPD is calculated using air temperature and relative humidity (VPD = es - ea, where e...
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