Researchers at Rothamsted operate the LemnaTec Field Scanalyzer to phenotype wheat crops.
The machine essentially is watching the plants grow, but by doing this, we get insights that are never possible without technology. Not only that no human will continuously carry out measurements throughout the whole growth period, the combination of different sensors covering broad wavelength spectra records data that go far beyond the traits that are usually recorded in classical agronomic research.
The advanced data allows generating decisive knowledge for improving crop varieties that serve to feed the population and that cope with climate changes, diseases and pests.
Genetics tells us what makes plant varieties tick. But how will they fare outside their cosy labs? New tech allows us to spy on crops 24/7, opening a window into a world unseen by the naked eye.
— Rothamsted Research (@Rothamsted) February 11, 2019
Move over genomics – here comes phenomics. #SecretLifeOfCrops #BigData @phenom_UK pic.twitter.com/kpSOMP8490