Introduction to Plant Phenotyping Technologies

Explore the technologies used in modern plant phenotyping

Modern technologies have revolutionised plant phenotyping processes, allowing the recording of plant trait characterisation to take place over hours, rather than weeks or months.

On this four-week course, you’ll delve into some of the various technologies used in plant phenotyping, learning about data generation in different environments – both the advantages and challenges

Discover different types of phenotyping kit

Plant phenotyping data can be gathered using a variety of equipment including satellites, phenotyping platforms, and hand-held devices.

You’ll be introduced to some of these devices, look at some of the data they produce, and discuss the challenges of using phenotyping technologies in practice, both inside and out. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to consider the practicalities of each type of technology in various situations.

Investigate phenotyping data collection techniques

You’ll explore the types of data and measurements required in different contexts. You’ll discuss the impact of big data on plant phenotyping and how technologies can aid meaningful analysis.

Using this understanding, you’ll be able to think about what data should be gathered depending on the crop characteristics you want to analyse and discuss which technologies would be best suited to the task.

Examine methods used to phenotype plants in different environments

To gather meaningful data, varied methods of plant phenotyping must be used in field and controlled environments.

You’ll investigate plant phenotyping concepts and technologies in different environments, assessing the suitability and ease of data collection.

By the end of this course, you’ll have been introduced to some phenotyping equipment, concepts and data, and thought about how to use this data to inform crop production.

This course is designed for researchers and other professionals working in the area who are curious about plant phenotyping. It is suitable for those without previous experience with plants or plant phenotyping.

This course is also an ideal entry point for those with no phenotyping experience, who want a brief introduction to some of the fundamentals of plant phenotyping. Following on from this course you might want to check out some upcoming DataCAMPP courses on data management, analysis and robotics, which, as you will see, form an important part of the plant phenotyping process.

• Introduction
• Welcome and Introductions
• Introduction to plant phenotyping
• Summary of week 1
• Lab and controlled environment phenotyping
• Welcome to week 2
• Introduction to phenotyping under controlled conditions
• Summary of week 2
• Field phenotyping
• Welcome to week 3
• Importance of field phenotyping
• Field phenotyping platforms and equipment
• Overview of data generated and traits of interest
• Overcoming barriers for successful data collection
• Summary of week 3
• Technologies for all environments
• Welcome to week 4
• High throughput phenotyping using chlorophyll fluorescence
• Phenotyping of photosynthesis using gas exchange
• Practical exercises
• Anatomics – Laser ablation tomography and image analysis
• Summary and conclusion