Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre: NPEC
NPEC offers researchers and companies a state-of-the-art plant phenotyping facility to unravel the genetics behind the interactions between the environment and plant genes that determine plant performance.
With NPEC, we can contribute to the scientific breakthroughs needed to develop sustainable agronomic solutions to ensure future food security and combat 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 hosted by Wageningen University & Research and Utrecht University and is co-funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).
NPEC consists of six modules, of which modules 4, 5 and 6 are located on the Wageningen Campus, operated by Unifarm.
Module 4 - High-Throughput Phenotyping climate chamber
The climate chambers in this research module allow thousands of plants to be analysed in a single experiment. These climate cells are packed with advanced measuring equipment that can quickly provide insight into how different plant varieties behave in different climate conditions.
Module 5 - Phenotyping in the greenhouse
This research module consists of a greenhouse full of 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 various 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 - Phenotyping in the field
The research in this module takes place outdoors in the open air, using vehicles and drones equipped with colour, thermal, 3D and hyperspectral cameras. The data produced provide a quick impression of the performance of plants in a test field.