DEMETRIS HUB

Hosted by CNR- ISTITUTO PER LA PROTEZIONE SOSTENIBILE DELLE PIANTE SEDE SECONDARIA DI FIRENZE (NA) & METAPONTO (MT)

Where we are

A series of state-of-the-art research infrastructures, advanced platforms for digital agriculture and highthroughput phenotyping (HTP), including:
• Field plant phenotyping platform – Metaponto
The field phenotyping platform consists of two rovers, a fleet of drones and a gantry crane equipped with multiple sensors, i.e. for measuring fluorescence (Fluorcam FC 1300-R for the estimation of the activity of photosystem II), thermal and multi-spectral camera (Altum PT, Micasense) for measuring the temperature of the foliage and for the estimation of indices based on the visible and infrared spectrum, a hyperspectral camera that allows the study of vegetation indices on a wide range of spectral bands and a LIDAR for the derivation of three-dimensional models of the vegetation, remotely controlled for real-time data acquisition
• Plant phenotyping platforms: Growth Capsule and fleet of drones – Sesto Fiorentino
– A unique system of plant growth chambers located in the container using LEDs thus providing excellent spectral quality with high irradiance for plant physiology applications under controlled conditions. It includes two chambers equipped with a XY robotic system designed to carry imaging sensors (i.e. RGB and fluorescence sensors) over the entire cultivation area and perform fully automated high-throughput phenotyping of plants.
– A fleet of drones equipped with thermal, RGB, multispectral, hyperspectral imaging cameras, and LiDAR.

Access to the open-field plant phenotyping platforms located at CNR-IPSP within the ALSIA Metapontum Agrobios Research Centre (Metaponto di Bernalda, MT), as well as to those at CNR-IPSP in Sesto Fiorentino (FI). The drone fleet may also be deployed as a service at experimental sites of partner institutions.‑field plant phenotyping platform located at the CNR‑IPSP Third‑Party Research Unit within the ALSIA Metapontum Agrobios Research Centre (Metaponto di Bernalda, MT), and access to the Growth Capsule located at the CNR‑IPSP  in Sesto Fiorentino (FI).

Giulia ATZORI

Giulia ATZORI

Person in charge

Giovanni MARINO

Giovanni MARINO

Person in charge

Vincenzo MONTESANO

Vincenzo MONTESANO

Person in charge

Adriano CONTE

Adriano CONTE

Person in charge

Matthew HAWORTH

Matthew HAWORTH

Person in charge

Our Equipment

  • Rover for measuring fluorescence (Fluorcam FC 1300-R,PSI)
  • Rover with a telescopic arm, extendable up to 16 m,equipped with sensors i.e., thermal, RGB, multi-spectral, (Altum PT, Micasense), hyperspectral camera, LIDAR) remotely controlled for real-time data acquisition
  • Gantry crane compatible with the instrumentationinstalled on the two rovers, covering an area of 4000 m2
  • Fleet of drones equipped with thermal, RGB, multi-spectraland hyperspectral imaging camera and LIDAR
  • Growth capsule made of two growth chambersindividually controlled and equipped with singlepot lysimeters and a XY robotic system designed to carry imaging sensors (i.e. RGB and fluorescence sensors) over the entire cultivation area

Contact Us


All Infrastructures

PhenBiotech

PhenBiotech is an automated Phenospex phenotyping platform installed in a climate-controlled greenhouse with regulated photoperiod lighting. The facility includes four benches and eight scanning blocks, enabling high-precision, automated plant phenotyping under controlled environmental conditions.

PhenoPlant

PhenoPlant is an automated phenotyping platform with 216 potted stations that continuously measures plant weight, controls irrigation, and regulates environmental conditions. Using multispectral imaging from a gantry system, it extracts structural and functional traits to study growth, stress responses, genotype performance, and plant adaptation.

PHENORAMA

PHENORAMA is an image-based plant phenotyping infrastructure integrating 2D/3D imaging, automated analysis, and advanced crop models such as Olive Model, UNIFI.GrapeM, and GrassVistock. With greenhouse rail platforms and field rovers, it delivers high-resolution trait extraction to support stress studies, varietal selection, and precision agriculture.

ROOT DISTAL

The Root Phenotyping Platform at DISTAL UNIBO features 100 rhizotrons and A3 scanners for non-destructive root analysis. Plants grow in angled acrylic chambers to enhance root visibility, allowing digital imaging and software-based extraction of architectural root traits for research and breeding applications.

FIELDPHEN

FieldPhen at CREA-CI Foggia is a high-throughput field phenotyping platform for cereals. Using multispectral, hyperspectral, RGB, and thermal drones, it supports breeding and genotype selection for yield, stress tolerance, and resistance, and conducts field trials to test agrochemical and biological products.

INFRA-VOL

INFRA VOL is a unique Italian plant phenotyping infrastructure specialized in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Equipped with advanced growth chambers, PTR-TOF-MS, VOCUS-GC-MS, and GC-MS systems, it delivers high-throughput volatilome analysis, experimental design, data processing, and reporting services for sustainable agriculture research.

PHENOLAB 4.0

PHENOLAB integrates greenhouse and open-field phenotyping platforms, including Scanalyzer 3D, PlantEye gantry systems, and field lysimeters. It provides automated imaging, evapotranspiration monitoring, and stress analysis services for genotype comparison and biostimulant testing, delivering full experimental design, management, and reporting support.

AGRIPHEN

AGRIPHEN is an advanced plant phenotyping platform by Agrigeos that delivers high-precision crop analysis services. It measures growth, water use, stress responses, roots, and canopy traits using sensors, imaging, and modeling, supporting research, product testing, and agricultural innovation today.