Review: New sensors and data-driven approaches-A path to next generation phenomics

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Sensor Technology
• Agricultural Engineering

Background:

• The 4th International Plant Phenotyping Symposium highlighted challenges in current plant phenotyping methods.
• Increasing field applications necessitate specialized, adaptable sensor solutions for plant growth and development traits.
• Existing phenotyping approaches are insufficient for many vital traits, driving demand for innovation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose mechanisms for "next generation phenomics" by integrating advancements in sensor technology and data management.
• To address the need for low-cost sensor solutions and mobile phenotyping platforms.
• To foster collaboration among plant scientists, physicists, and engineers for future phenotyping research.

Main Methods:

• Discussion and synthesis of ideas from the International Plant Phenotyping Network (IPPN) workshop.
• Review of current practices and challenges in field-based plant phenotyping.
• Conceptualization of integrated sensor systems and data handling strategies.

Main Results:

• Identification of diverse sensor requirements for precision, ease of operation, and readout.
• Emphasis on the importance of mobile platforms for flexible experimental setups.
• Recognition of the critical need for effective data-to-knowledge conversion and metadata storage.

Conclusions:

• The development of "next generation phenomics" necessitates a multidisciplinary approach.
• Future phenotyping will likely involve low-cost, mobile sensor solutions tailored to specific traits.
• Robust data management is crucial for the accessibility and future utility of phenotyping data.