Plant-to-Sensor plant research
Optimal imaging conditions with Plant-to-Sensor phenotyping
In Plant-to-Sensor phenotyping, plants automatically move through a fixed phenotyping cabinet. The camera system remains in a single position while the crop is transported via an automated conveyor belt for measurement. This approach is ideal for research that requires high throughput, uniform measurement conditions, and consistent imaging.
Because measurements take place under controlled conditions and standardized protocols, large numbers of plants can be analyzed quickly and reliably. The result is highly comparable to datasets with strong reproducibility.
From manual measurements to high-throughput phenotyping
Traditional phenotyping is labor intensive and becomes increasingly complex as experiments scale. With Plant-to-Sensor systems, phenotyping becomes part of an automated workflow in which plants are transported in a controlled manner and measured inside enclosed imaging cabinets.
Since each plant is analyzed in the same way and under identical measurement conditions, data consistency increases and subjectivity is significantly reduced. This makes Plant-to-Sensor phenotyping particularly suitable for large-scale research and applications that demand high processing speed and standardized measurements.
What plant traits can you measure?
As with other forms of automated phenotyping, Plant-to-Sensor systems can capture both visual and physiological traits. Visual measurements provide insight into characteristics such as plant height, biovolume, shape, color, leaf area, and flower or fruit development.
The system architecture also allows integration of additional measurement modules. Examples include high-throughput PSII measurements and automated weighing and irrigation systems. This enables large-scale monitoring of physiological parameters such as biomass accumulation, water use, and photosynthetic activity.
Plant-to-Sensor infrastructure
A Plant-to-Sensor system consists of an automated conveyor infrastructure combined with a stationary phenotyping cabinet. Within this cabinet, imaging and measurement systems are positioned to capture plants from multiple angles.
Because the measurement setup remains fixed, data is collected under stable and optimized conditions. This results in high-quality images and enables the combination of top-view and side-view imaging. In many cases, near 360-degree imaging can be achieved, contributing to a more complete phenotypic profile for each plant.
The infrastructure integrates seamlessly with automated cultivation and processing workflows and is designed for continuous operation with high processing capacity.
Sensor configurations tailored to your research
As a system integrator, WPS always starts with your research objective. Not every experiment requires the same sensor technology or measurement strategy. That is why we design Plant-to-Sensor solutions in which automation, sensors, and data processing function as one integrated system.
For sensor technology, we collaborate with specialized partners. Depending on factors such as desired resolution, measurement frequency, and target plant traits, various imaging technologies can be implemented, including 2D and 3D imaging, multispectral imaging, and thermal measurements.
Different data streams are integrated into one cohesive dataset. RGB images provide rapid visual analysis, 3D data enables accurate volume calculations, and thermal data reveals plant stress and subtle physiological differences.
What should researchers consider?
The choice for Plant-to-Sensor phenotyping depends on the research type and scale. In addition to research goals and required measurement capacity, experimental design, measurement frequency, and data accuracy requirements play an important role.
Practical conditions must also be considered. The crop must be suitable for regular movement, and the available space and infrastructure must support an automated transport setup. Budget, project timeline, and available personnel are equally important factors. WPS supports researchers in evaluating these considerations and translates research objectives into a technically sound and practical system design.
Plant-to-Sensor versus Sensor-to-Plant
In automated phenotyping, two primary concepts are commonly applied: Plant-to-Sensor and Sensor-to-Plant.
Plant-to-Sensor is especially suitable when research requires high processing speed, uniform measurement conditions, and extensive multi-angle imaging. Sensor-to-Plant is more appropriate when plants must remain stationary and long-term monitoring under tightly controlled environmental conditions is required.
