Whole-plant phenomics

Over the last decade, biological sciences have been revolutionised by the adoption of high-throughput omics technologies, and many of the discoveries that have underpinned this revolution have now been adopted for use in plant phenotyping. The field of whole-plant phenomics resulting from this combines robotics, image capture and high-performance computational analysis and provides plant scientists with the ability to characterise dozens of phenotypes on thousands of plants daily. The throughput and accuracy offered by plant phenomics systems, which are often designed for direct experimentation in crops like barley, are providing plant physiologists and geneticists with the opportunity to benefit from the ever-increasing genomics resources that are available in these species. Combined with the ability to record data in multiple visible and non-visible wavelengths and to study root structure or entire field trial sites, these techniques are providing previously unachievable insights into many aspects of plant biology and productivity. Phenomics research in barley is generating novel data about response and tolerance to drought and salinity stress, and applications are being developed that will enhance our understanding of growth patterns, water and nutrient usage and photosynthetic efficiency, among many other traits. At the same time, phenomics techniques are being applied in large-scale genetic screening and breeding systems.Mark L. Crowe, Timothy J. March, and Joanne Tilbroo