Network of multi-environment trial sites with lean, efficient phenotyping
Field phenotyping under real agricultural and breeding conditions, using portable or lightweight equipment to assess hundreds to thousands of plots across diverse environments. These trials capture genetic and phenotypic variation in response to management, soil, and climate differences, providing insight into how crops perform in realistic production systems.
Environmental monitoring typically includes sensor networks measuring temperature, radiation, rainfall, humidity, and soil water potential at hourly or finer resolution, mirroring data standards used in intensive field sites. Mobile or drone-based platforms deploy imaging and sensing tools (RGB, multispectral, hyperspectral, thermal) for efficient, repeatable data collection.
A key EMPHASIS goal is to expand and coordinate networks of such field trials across Europe — enhancing geographical and climatic coverage and integrating datasets to analyse crop performance across gradients and scales. These efforts bring together biologists, geneticists, agronomists, breeders, modellers, and data specialists in a shared research framework.
