Smart Greenhouse – Growth on Demand
This UT FieldLab experiment falls under the theme Food security and biodiversity. View all experiments related to this theme.
Introduction
What happens to a plant when you can control every ray of light and every drop of water? In the UT FieldLab greenhouse, we study how plants respond to controlled conditions. It’s where technology and biology meet to answer questions about food security, climate adaptation, and sustainable farming. “For example, we can simulate a drought in the morning and heavy rainfall in the afternoon—all within the same greenhouse,” explains Dr. Elnaz Neinavaz. “This allows us to see how plant species adapt to the kinds of extreme weather patterns expected under climate change.
What are we researching?
We aim to understand how specific environmental factors – such as light, temperature, moisture, and nutrients – affect plant growth and health. By varying one factor at a time, we will discover what truly makes a difference. This knowledge helps optimise yields and make plants more resilient to stress, such as drought or heatwaves.
How does it work?
The greenhouse is equipped with advanced climate control systems that adjust temperature, humidity, and light intensity with precision. Sensors monitor soil moisture, nutrients, and plant health indicators like leaf temperature and chlorophyll content. By using ASD spectrometers and also using MIDAC thermal FTIR field spectrometer we also study the plants’ ‘spectral signature’ – how they reflect and emit light at different wavelengths. These insights are key for developing remote monitoring techniques using drones or satellites. Controlled experiments reveal patterns that are hard to detect in the field.
Why is this important?
The insights from this greenhouse form the basis for precision agriculture: smart farming that balances yield and sustainability. This helps farmers use water and fertilisers more efficiently and supports sustainable food production in a changing climate.