Emphasis-Belgium - Phenotyping future crops

General introduction

In plant production, crop performance must be continuously improved to cope with global climate change and continue to feed the growing population. In plant research (and breeding), this ambition translates, among other things, into the search for more efficient scientific tools to identify plant phenotypes and explain the genetics of agriculturally important crops and traits. The EMPHASIS project targets the smart integration of four pillars for plant phenotyping: plant phenotyping in a controlled environment, intensive field phenotyping, a network of field trials for phenotyping for the benefit of breeding, and modeling for simulation and/or prediction of crop or plant performance. The goal is to make its architecture transparent and accessible to the entire plant phenotyping community in Flanders, including training and outreach.

Research approach

Plant phenotyping is the characterization of complex plant traits by non-destructive applications, such as image analysis, in crop and plant research. We are expanding the national node of EMPHASIS, the plant phenotyping infrastructure in Europe. A multidisciplinary approach from laboratory to field is adopted, by (i) significantly upgrading available platforms in controlled conditions, field-based infrastructure and access to satellite information, to meet international standards, and (ii) by extending a FAIR data management system that can be linked to the European EMPHASIS data system. ILVO's open access research infrastructure HYDRAS (HYdrology, Drones & RAinout Shelters) is made available for research groups and industry to conduct drought research related to climate change. This research infrastructure combines rainout shelters, above-ground phenotyping via drones with various sensors and underground phenotyping via electrical resistivity tomography.

Relevance/Valorisation

ILVO, VIB and VITO are developing a regional platform consisting of cases from controlled conditions and field phenotyping coupled with the use of satellite information. The research focus is on drought adaptation of crops in the context of climate change. Synergies among phenotyping facilities, coordination of phenotyping initiatives, and access to state-of-the-art platforms are an expected outcome. The (global) visibility of phenotyping efforts in Flanders is growing. Flanders is more likely to maintain its leading role in the rapidly evolving international plant phenotyping community. Interactive collaborations between disciplines within Flanders, Belgium, Europe (through EMPHASIS) and the rest of the world are fostered by the integrated research infrastructure.

Funding provider(s)
FONDS VOOR WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK-VLAANDEREN – FWO