DiAGRI establishes 6 walk-in growth chambers at the Viikki campus, each designed for precise environmental control and high-throughput plant research.
Chamber Specifications:
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Number of chambers | 6 |
| Floor area per chamber | 9 m² |
| Cultivation layers | 2 per chamber |
| Temperature range | −5 °C to +45 °C |
| Humidity range | 35% to 80% RH |
| CO₂ supply | Adjustable |
| Lighting (4 chambers) | White LED, up to 600 µmol/m²/s |
| Lighting (2 chambers) | 9-channel adjustable spectrum LEDs |
The two chambers with adjustable spectrum LEDs allow researchers to study the effects of specific light wavelengths on plant growth, photosynthesis, and morphology — critical for optimising LED lighting strategies in vertical farming.
Each growth chamber is equipped with a comprehensive suite of imaging and sensing systems for automated plant phenotyping:
3D Scanning (e.g., Phenospec) Captures detailed 3D models of plants for non-destructive measurement of growth rate, biomass accumulation, leaf area, and plant architecture over time.
Hyperspectral Imaging (e.g., Photon System Instruments) Analyses the spectral signature of plant tissues across hundreds of wavelength bands, enabling non-invasive assessment of biochemical composition (chlorophyll, water content, nitrogen status, pigments).
Thermal Imaging (e.g., FLIR cameras) Detects surface temperature variations in plant canopies, providing insights into stomatal conductance, transpiration patterns, and water stress status.
Chlorophyll Fluorescence Imaging Measures the efficiency of photosystem II, a key indicator of photosynthetic performance and plant stress. Enables rapid screening of plant health across large populations.
Luminescence Imaging Monitors gene expression activity through reporter gene systems, enabling real-time tracking of molecular responses to environmental stimuli.
Environmental Sensors: