Switzerland

1. The SPPN: Establishment and Core Mission

The Swiss Plant Phenotyping Network (SPPN) was jointly initiated by Agroscope and ETH Zurich to establish the national node for EMPHASIS. The network has since expanded to encompass the wider scientific community involved in plant phenotyping, as well as crucial industry partners.

The SPPN aims to make a significant contribution to EMPHASIS by:

• Providing access to its research infrastructure (RI): This includes facilities for intensive and lean field conditions, as well as under highly controlled environments.
• Facilitating access to research data.
• Training the next generation of phenotyping specialists and practitioners.

2. Strategic Importance and Goals

The SPPN recognises the critical role of EMPHASIS in providing access to high-quality Research Infrastructure (RI), particularly through its commitment to open science-driven data management.

By leveraging EMPHASIS, the SPPN seeks to promote Swiss research—both fundamental and applied—and development in collaboration with industry. This is achieved by enabling access to innovation, training, and collaborative international projects.

3. Cutting-Edge Phenotyping Technologies

Fundamental research in ecology and biology across Switzerland utilizes a diverse range of advanced phenotyping tools:

• Remote Sensing: This includes satellite data and spectral cameras mounted on aeroplanes and UAVs (drones).
• Proximal Sensing: Devices are employed for detailed growth and physiological measurements.

Growth conditions utilized span entire landscapes and fields, as well as both semi-controlled and controlled environments for model plants and crops. Automated imaging and data processing for trait extraction are already fully implemented.

4. Advanced Field Trials and Networks (Envirotyping)

Plant phenotyping is intrinsically linked to breeding and variety testing in Switzerland.

• Intensive Field Phenotyping has been in place for several years.
• Lean Phenotyping is rapidly gaining momentum with the increasing availability of sensors and carriers.
• Envirotyping (environmental monitoring) is now an essential part of many research and field trials.

A major strength is the availability of multiple multi-environment trial networks for field crops. These networks support the development of new management practices, quantitative genetics, breeding, and variety testing, and cover cereals (including maize), oilseed crops, and legumes, encompassing both conventional and organic production systems.

5. Training and Education Hubs

The SPPN is ideally positioned to contribute substantially to EMPHASIS’s training and education activities, thanks to its members, which include:

• An important ELIXIR research organization active in training for data management and processing.
• A university competence centre educating the next generation of plant scientists.
• An agricultural school dedicated to training practitioners.

Distinctive Context and Environment – Switzerland is globally renowned for its excellent timekeeping, versatile army knife, indulgent chocolate, and delicious cheese, but above all for its breathtaking mountain landscapes. While some SPPN members conduct research in challenging alpine conditions, a stay at one of our research facilities also provides access to our other distinguishing cultural features.