Swiss Plant Phenotyping Network
The research themes of the SPPN cover a wide range, from fundamental ecological and biological research using model plants and crops, to applied research in field and orchard crops.
Plant phenotyping infrastructure is available at the landscape, field and individual plant and organ levels.
The Swiss plant phenotyping community
Fundamental research in ecology and plant biology makes use of a diverse range of tools, from remote sensing involving satellite data and spectral cameras attached to aeroplanes and UAVs, to proximal sensing devices used for growth and physiological measurements. Growth conditions include landscapes and fields, as well as (semi-) controlled environments for model plants and crops. Automated imaging and data processing for trait extraction is in place.
Plant phenotyping is also intrinsically associated with breeding and variety testing. High-quality intensive field phenotyping has been in place for several years, and lean phenotyping is currently gaining momentum with an increasing number of sensors and carriers available for plant phenotyping. Envirotyping is now an integral part of many research experiments and field trials. A major strength is the availability of several multi-environment trial networks for field crops, which are mostly associated with the establishment of new management practices, quantitative genetics, breeding and variety testing. These networks cover cereals (including maize), oilseed crops and legumes, and include both conventional and organic production.
With an important ELIXIR research organisation active in training for data management and processing, a university competence centre educating the next generation of plant scientists, and an agricultural school training practitioners among its members, the SPPN is well-placed to contribute to training and education in the multi-disciplinary field of plant phenotpying.
The SPPN is set to become the Swiss national node of EMPHASIS ERIC, the European Infrastructure for Plant Phenotyping.
EMPHASIS ERIC is expected to be fully operational in 2026-2027.
The SPPN will deliver services within EMPHASIS ERIC. These services include access to Swiss research infrastructure for international scientists, education for the next generation of plant phenotyping specialists, and training for current developers, operators, and users.
Swiss researchers and private partners will have access to excellent research infrastructure and other EMPHASIS services across Europe, and will benefit from collaborating with the wider European network.
AGROSCOPE is the host institute of the SPPN.
AGROSCOPE and ETH Zurich ensure the interim governance of the SPPN until EMPHASIS ERIC is fully operational and an appropriate governance structure is in place.