2016-04-13 |
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Moving Field Technology Maximises Plant Density
Global plant phenotyping specialist LemnaTec has announced the launch of its Moving Field technology, which combines controlled greenhouse conditions with randomisation methods to minimise difference in growth conditions.
The technology allows phenotyping professionals to study higher plant densities, comparable to those found in the field, which will provide more relevant research and reduce the risk of selecting plants merely for greenhouse phenotype artefacts rather than agriculturally important traits.
Moving Field Technology, a system which combines controlled greenhouse conditions with randomisation methods
Greenhouse studies allow scientists to control and monitor key environmental parameters, such as temperature, illumination, humidity and watering, throughout the lifetime of sample plants. However, a significant challenge to greenhouse experiments is the achievable plant density, which is frequently far lower than in the field.
To ensure a high degree of homogeneity within treatment groups, plants can be moved around the greenhouse by automated conveyer belts. Where plants change orientation when turning around corners, overlapping plants can easily damage or destroy each other if one belt moves while the other is stationary.
LemnaTec’s Moving Field system solves this problem by using clever conveyor designs which provide maximum leaf space for the plants while minimising the area required for the conveyors. Plants are moved in a predefined sequence and conveyors are controlled intelligently to prevent plant damage. A range of plant carriers, with single or multiple plants per tray, enables users to optimize plant density and simulate agricultural growing conditions.
Pre-programmed routines transport the plants to stations for watering, weighing, scanning and imaging. In this way, each plant can be accurately monitored in terms of its phenotypic development and individual use of resources.
