Why bother with controlled-environment phenotyping when field phenomics is already up and running?

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ID: 322528
2026
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Abstract
Abstract Plant phenomics has undergone rapid development over the past two decades, driven by advances in imaging, robotics, artificial intelligence and data analysis. Whilst field phenotyping is increasingly operational and scalable, the relevance of controlled-environment (CE) phenotyping is questioned because of concerns regarding the limited transferability of results to agricultural conditions. This Expert View first addresses the limitations and risks of using CE as surrogate of outdoor conditions. However, we argue that CE enables the disentangling of interacting environmental drivers allowing causal analysis of plant responses to multiple abiotic and biotic stresses. CE platforms also provide access to complex traits that are difficult or impossible to measure in the field whilst providing a robust framework in combination of field approaches to interpret and predict field performance. We further discuss contexts where CE remains indispensable, including quarantine and biosafety regulations together with emerging opportunities for agricultural innovation. Whilst limitations of CE systems are acknowledged, including issues of extrapolation, pot effects, environmental realism, and the indispensable need for rigorous envirotyping, we conclude that CE phenotyping should be regarded as an enabling analytical framework that complements and strengthens field phenomics for crop adaptation research under climate change.
Reference Key
openalex_W7171149422 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Llorenç Cabrera‐Bosquet, Tristan Boureau, Marion Prudent, Rémi Gardet, Bertrand Muller
Journal Journal of experimental botany
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/jxb/erag379
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erag379
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