Botany JoVE (Open Access) Citable · DOI

PARbars: Cheap, Easy to Build Ceptometers for Continuous Measurement of Light Interception in Plant Canopies

Name: PARbars: Cheap, Easy to Build Ceptometers for Continuous Measurement of Light Interception in Plant Canopies
Uploaded: 2026-06-17
Duration: 8 min 32 s
Description: Ceptometry is a technique used to measure the transmittance of photosynthetically active radiation through a plant canopy using multiple light sensors ...

DOI: 10.3791/59447-v

What you'll learn

✓ Build a research-quality ceptometer from affordable components
✓ Calibrate light sensors for accurate PAR measurement
✓ Install and collect canopy light interception data

Protocol

Here, we present detailed instructions on how to build and calibrate research quality ceptometers (light sensors that integrate light intensity across many sensors arrayed linearly along a horizontal bar).

Difficulty

intermediate

Total time

~4–6 hours (construction and calibration per unit)

Steps

Construct photosynthetically active radiation ceptometer

Assemble the PARbar device using linear sensor arrays and supporting materials according to specifications. This chapter details component selection and mechanical assembly required to build a functional ceptometer.

▶ 00:28

Calibrate PARbar sensors and install in field

Perform calibration procedures on assembled ceptometer and set up the device in the plant canopy for measurement. This ensures sensor accuracy and proper positioning for light interception data collection.

▶ 05:17

Collect and analyze representative calibration data

Record output measurements from calibrated PARbar and verify performance against expected calibration curves. Demonstrate typical data output and quality assurance results from operational ceptometers.

▶ 06:48

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