To non-destructively assess the impact of biostimulants and biopesticides on plant growth and health, image-based phenotyping technologies have become an indispensable tool. At the Laboratory of Applied Mycology and Phenotyping (LAMP) under the supervision of professor Kris Audenaert, state of the art phenotyping is performed. 

Phenotype platform

The multispectral camera uses a combination of Red Greed Blue (RGB) and near-infrared (NIR) imaging, chlorophyll fluorescence, and anthocyanin measurements. The images reveal important traits in plants, including phosphor deficiencies, nitrogen content, and the efficiency of photosynthesis in crops. 

Biochemical plant traits

Recently, LAMP has acquired hyperspectral camera’s which enable the discovery of new biochemical traits. These traits may comprise: pre-symptomatic pathogen detection, micro-nutrient contents, and water content during drought amongst others.

Biostimulant conference Florida

The need for state of the art trait assessment was confirmed at the last Biostimulants World Conference held in Miami from November 29^th till December 2^nd. Ghent University participated in this conference with an oral contribution by PhD Student Noémie De Zutter with a talk entitled: “Shaping the rhizosphere: Can in planta rhizobiome selection for phosphate solubilizing bacteria outperform classical in vitro selection methods?” In addition, a poster on the importance of multi- and hyperspectral imaging to assess the impact of biostimulants on plants was displayed.

For more information please contact maaike.perneel@ugent.be