Advanced Plant Phenotyping
Phenotypic Data for Growth and Performance Studies in Research, Breeding, and Plant Treatments – The Key to Unlocking Nature’s Secrets
Plant phenotyping is the numerical measurement of morphological and functional properties of plants using non-invasive sensing technologies.
Phenotypes are the outward expression of an organism’s genetic blueprint—essentially, what we can see, measure, and observe without invasive techniques. When it comes to plants, phenotypes encompass a wide range of visible traits such as size, shape, color, and structural features like leaf dimensions or flower patterns. Beyond just appearance, phenotypes also include physiological characteristics like photosynthesis efficiency, water retention, surface biochemical properties, and temperature regulation. These factors not only determine a plant’s health and productivity but also provide crucial insights into its environmental interactions.
The study of phenotypic traits is essential across various fields, and gains similar importance as studying genetics or metabolites. In research, understanding these traits helps scientists uncover the working principles of plant biology. In breeding, it allows experts to select the best traits for crop improvement. Farmers rely on phenotypic data to monitor crops in real time, optimizing yields and minimizing environmental stress. Industries, such as those developing fertilizers, agrochemicals, and plant adjuvants, use this data to tailor their products for maximum efficacy. From sustainable agriculture to cutting-edge biotech applications, phenotypic data is invaluable.
To gather this data, a range of advanced technologies is used, from high-resolution and infrared cameras to hyperspectral imaging systems, laser scanners, and fluorescence imaging. These tools capture detailed images and measurements, which are then processed using sophisticated algorithms to extract meaningful phenotypic insights. This technology-driven approach is transforming how we understand and interact with the plant world, enabling smarter, data-driven decisions in everything from crop management to product innovation.
Phenotypic data is at the frontier of agricultural science, bridging the gap between observation and action.
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Phenotyping – measuring the phenotypes of organisms
SeedAIxpert HT Shelf System
Phenotyping is central to the human experience of the natural world. Phenotyping drove the domestication events that are hallmarks of the Neolithic revolution, and underlies the yield improvements recognized by modern agriculture. Gregor Mendel phenotyped traits in pea plants to formulate the Laws of Inheritance describing equal segregation, independent assortment, and dominance of alleles.
Increasingly sophisticated phenotyping tools are needed to recognize the trait-improvement potential of genome-wide association studies in areas such as phenotypic differentiation of complex traits, phenotypic plasticity across environments, and phenotypic validation of genomic predictions.
Digital tools are key in state-of-the-art phenotyping. Mendel’s visual scoring was ground-breaking, but in the 21st century computer-assisted sensing and machine learning is the way forward in solution-oriented phenotype measuring.
LemnaTec fulfills this need by developing computer vision tools for high-resolution plant phenotyping in controlled-environments and fields. LemnaTec integrates industrial sensors and illumination with powerful analytical software and robotic automation. Thereby we deliver high-quality digital phenotypic data for agricultural research and product development.
LemnaTec multi-sensor systems measure parameters in 2D images and 3D laser scans across the wavelength spectrum including the visible range, near-infrared, infrared hyperspectral, and PAM fluorescence. The results enable breeders to derive a comprehensive digital phenotype. These data describe plant growth, development, color, geometry, biomass, stress response, disease status, water- and nutrition status, and much more information on structural and physiological traits.
LemnaTec is the market leader in plant phenotyping
Field Scanalyzer
Plant phenotyping is the quantitative assessment of complex plant traits. It has a broad range of applications in plant research, breeding, product development, and quality assessments.
Since more than 25 years LemnaTec delivers digital solutions that rely on image processing for biological purposes. We address a large range of applications in industry and scientific research.
LemnaTec provides phenotypic data that explain gene functions and that are key to detect QTLs. Our digital phenotyping systems give insight how plants cope with limitation of water and nutrients, how they respond to light or CO2 and how pests and pathogens take influence on plant development. We are phenotyping samples for toxicology, environmental monitoring, and plant management. For breeders and gene banks, seed germination is a central trait for seed viability, which we analyse with digital image processing.
We bought a LemnaTec LabScanalyzer (the predecessor of PhenoAIxpert) in July 2018. The instrument was delivered to us and installed remotely by a Lemnatec technician that instructed us about the use of the instrument. We were happy about the service: very good communication and excellent instrument set-up. The Lemnatec LabScanalyzer works nicely and is even more user-friendly than we expected. Almost no training of new users is needed. We hope to expand the uses of the instrument to obtain additional phenotyping options in the future, by interacting with LemnaTec.