SynTech Spain acquires a Phenotyping System to obtain 3D models and multispectral information in plants

Plant phenotyping is the science that is closing the gap between genomics, plant ecophysiology, and agronomy.

It consists of measuring and analysing observable agronomic markers, which are responsive to alterations in their surrounding conditions, such as stresses or the application of products.

Technological advancements have allowed this traditional science (used for long in breeding programs) the automatization of the data collection and analysis, and plant phenotyping has emerged as a very popular and up-to-date approach to evaluate the performance of the crop under various conditions.

With the aim of a better understanding of the functioning of the crops and complementing the current portfolio of SynTech Research Group services, a phenotyping system has been recently acquired in the Headquarters of Picanya (Valencia) and will allow the scan of up to one hundred plants in forty seconds. Thanks to the sensor, which moves over the plants, it is possible to obtain 3D models and multispectral information that is translated into relevant physiological parameters such as biomass, plant height, leaf area, greenness, and spectral indices as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), amongst others. Ultimately, those parameters can be used to estimate the plant health and nutritional status, pigment contents and quantify diseases.

This system is non-destructive and non-invasive; therefore, from December on, SynTech Spain will be ready to provide a detailed time-course evolution of the state of the plants. We are excited to offer a new high-tech approach to performing SynTech's traditional assays, as well as to develop new protocols to satisfy the needs of the clients.