High-throughput phenotyping for faster plant breeding
About this expertise
In short- Accelerates breeding programmes
- Objective, reproducible plant data
- Indoor, greenhouse and field applications
- Unique NPEC facilities
- Collaboration with industry partners
High-throughput phenotyping accelerates the development of resilient and productive crops. Using advanced sensors and data technology, we support companies and researchers in selecting the best varieties more quickly—both for today’s and tomorrow’s climates.
High-throughput phenotyping (HTP) uses sensors and cameras to automatically capture plant traits quickly, objectively and on a large scale. This enables us to visualise growth, stress responses and yield—from climate chambers to greenhouses and open fields.
Wageningen University & Research offers unique facilities within the Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre (NPEC). Here, companies and researchers can test varieties under both controlled and field conditions. The combination of advanced measurement methods and data analysis makes selection faster and more reliable.
Together with breeding companies and high-tech partners, we develop new screening methods, algorithms and (AI) data platforms. This ensures that innovative phenotyping translates into practical applications, helping partners to develop crop varieties that are more resistant to diseases, drought and other stress factors.
- Automated climate chambers – controlled experiments with stress factors such as drought, heat and salinity.
- Greenhouse phenotyping – conveyor belts and 3D scans objectively record plant height, leaf area and photosynthetic efficiency.
- Field phenotyping – drones and robots measure large plant populations under real-world conditions using RGB, thermal and hyperspectral cameras.
- High-quality 3D and 4D (3D time-series) plant scan platform – the stand-alone BABETTE pro platform functions as a fully automated growth chamber equipped with a robotic arm and high-resolution cameras.
- Mobile systems – such as the Robin PSI PlantScreen™, for flexible, small-scale measurements.
These technologies generate a “digital fingerprint” of plants, capturing traits from morphology and growth to physiological processes.
- Faster screening – evaluate thousands of accessions, progenies or mutants in a short time, often daily.
- Objective data – standardised measurements without subjective interpretation.
- Complex traits – reliably measure characteristics such as drought tolerance, disease resistance and nutritional quality.
- Early detection – capture subtle stress signals before they become visible to the human eye.
This approach leads to more efficient breeding programmes and a higher success rate in developing innovative, stress-tolerant varieties that contribute to more sustainable production.
WUR hosts the Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre (NPEC), featuring unique modules for phenotyping in climate chambers, greenhouses and fields. Research here spans from controlled lab environments to real-world trials. Phenotypic data are integrated with DNA and other datasets, enabling analysis from genome to field.
Our strength lies in the combination of:
- Multidisciplinary teams (plant biologists, data scientists, robotics experts).
- Collaboration with seed and agricultural companies.
- Application of AI and big data analysis to translate imagery and sensor data into actionable insights.
NPEC is a national facility, open to both academic and industrial partners. It brings together science, technology and practice to accelerate plant breeding.
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Get in touch with our expert
For more information on high-throughput phenotyping, please contact our expert.
drs. HJ (Rick) van de Zedde
CTO NPEC