Facility
The Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre: NPEC
NPEC provides scientists and industry with a state-of-art plant phenotyping facility to unravel the genetics behind the interactions between environment and plant genes that determine plant performance.
NPEC is designed to spearhead innovative research in the plant sciences. So, we can help provide the scientific breakthroughs required to develop sustainable agronomic solutions to safeguard future food security and mitigate climate change.
The Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre (NPEC) is a joint initiative of Wageningen University & Research and Utrecht University. This integrated, national research facility is housed by Wageningen University & Research and Utrecht University and is co-funded by The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).
NPEC consists of 6 modules, of which module 4, 5 and 6 are located on the Wageningen Campus.
Module 4 - High-Throughput Phenotyping Climate Chamber
The climate cells in this research module can be used to analyse thousands of plants in a single experiment. These climate cells are packed full with advanced measuring equipment that can provide rapid insight into how different plant varieties behave in varying climate conditions.
Module 5 - GreenHouse Phenotyping
This research module comprises a greenhouse full with equipment, sensors and cameras to analyse large numbers of plants. Plants can be placed on conveyor belts for a three-dimensional scan that provides insight into a variety of properties: from the length of the stem to the size, colour and position of the leaves. The greenhouse is also equipped with sensors that analyse chlorophyll fluorescence, a measure of photosynthesis in the plant.
Module 6 - Open-Field Phenotyping
Research in this module takes place outside in the open air, using vehicles and drones equipped with colour, thermal, 3D and hyperspectral cameras. The data produced provides a quick impression of the performance of plants in a trial field.