NPEC Greenhouse installation
The WIWAM installations at the NPEC Greenhouse, consist of a large-scale conveyor system and 2 gantry systems. The systems occupy the 5 compartments of the NPEC Greenhouse, 3 of which are being used by the conveyor system.
There are 2 buffer zones for 560 plants, each in an individual compartment to allow applying varying climate conditions. Using a network of conveyor belts, the plants, kept in holders (also referred to as carriers) can travel to the imaging compartment where a scala of imaging techniques is available to monitor the individual plants.
Watering stations are located in the buffer zones, so plants don’t have to leave the compartment when only watering regimes are applied. The system allows for complex schedules, running in parallel, making optimal use of all high-tech equipment.
The following cases can be examined:
- Imaging with Various RGB, hyperspectral, 3D and Chlorophyll Fluoresence Cameras: This involves using cameras that capture different light wavelengths to assess plant health and growth conditions.
- Weighing: The machine can weigh the plants or their holders to gather data on biomass and growth metrics.
- Height measurement: using an accurate light curtain, plant height can be measured directly on the system
- Irrigation: The system can manage and monitor irrigation processes, ensuring that plants receive the appropriate amount of water or nutrient solutions.
This machine represents a significant advancement in large-scale high-throughput phenotyping, where data collection and treatment applications are optimized for each plant. By utilizing advanced imaging technology, the machine can assess a multitude of traits, depending on the research requirements.
At NPEC, the WIWAM team has shown the degree of flexibility that is possible, where some camera systems were provided by WIWAM, while others have been integrated by third parties, utilizing the camera plugin API.
The 2 gantry systems each occupy a compartment, covering the complete area underneath. A vertical movement of the sensors is foreseen with a stroke of nearly 1.5 meter. The plants underneath the gantry can be freely arranged in customizable layouts, which makes the system extremely flexible. To prevent unfair light distribution due to the shadow, the gantry system can be configured to move continuously.
