Working title
Modern Plant Phenotyping: From Roots and Fields to Genomics and Breeding
Date and Time
08 June 2026
08:30 – 13:30h
General Information
This workshop is planned as a satellite event to the ILS Conference 5, Dubrovnik 2026 and will take place on 08 June 2026. It is organised by the Research and Development of Plant Genetic Resources for Sustainable Agriculture, Center of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP-Bio-Div), Zagreb, Croatia (PK.1.1.10.0008)
The workshop is primarily targeted at MSc and PhD students, as well as postdoctoral researchers, who are interested in modern plant phenotyping approaches and the analysis of complex phenotypic datasets.
Aims of the Workshop
The overall aim of the workshop is to provide participants with:
- an overview of state-of-the-art plant phenotyping technologies,
- insights into selected phenotyping domains (root and field phenotyping), and
- a conceptual and practical understanding of the integration of high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) data with genomic data for trait discovery, quantitative genetic analyses, and plant breeding applications.
Structure and Format
The workshop will combine theoretical lectures with discussion sessions.
- Start: 08:30h
- End: 13:30h
- Format:
- Introductory remarks
- 4 scientific lectures
- Joint discussion sessions
- Industry presentations
- Coffee break
Proposed Programme and Topics
08:30 – 08:35
Opening Remarks
Speakers: Nelson Nazzicari and Boris Lazarević
Brief introduction to the workshop aims, structure, and thematic focus.
1. Introduction to Phenotyping Technologies
08:35 – 09:05
Speaker: Boris Lazarević, Associate Professor, in Plant Physiology, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture
https://www.agr.unizg.hr/en/member/205
This introductory lecture will provide a general overview of phenotyping technologies used in plant science. It will cover the basic principles of commonly used approaches, including imaging-based phenotyping, sensor-based measurements, and high-throughput phenotyping platforms, with emphasis on their applications, advantages, and limitations.
2. Root Phenotyping: From Biological Foundations to Field Applications
09:05 – 09:45
Speaker: Roberta Rossi, CREA, Italy
This lecture will focus on root phenotyping with a particular emphasis on legumes.
Key topics include:
- Root system architecture; resource acquisition efficiency
- Overview of laboratory and field-based root phenotyping methodologies
- Root behaviour in monocultures versus intercropping systems, phenotyping methodologies for intercropping
Discussion Session
09:45 – 10:00
Open discussion and questions related to introductory and root phenotyping lectures.
Coffee Break (10:00 – 10:30h)
10:00 – 10:30
3. Field Phenotyping under Real-World Conditions
10:30 – 11:10
Speaker: Jing Zhang, Assistant Professor in Plant Phenomics, North Carolina State University
https://cals.ncsu.edu/horticultural-science/people/jzhan256/
This lecture will address high-throughput phenotyping under field conditions, including:
- Sensor technologies and platforms including ground and UAV-based phenotyping,
- Environmental variability and its impact on data quality,
- Challenges related to data acquisition, processing, and interpretation in field experiments.
4. Phenomics Meets Quantitative Genetics
11:10 – 11:50
Speaker: Nelson Nazzicari, Senior Scientist, bioinformatician; Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA)
https://genleg.crea.gov.it/index.php/2022/02/14/nelson-nazzicari/
This lecture will discuss how modern phenotyping technologies interface with quantitative genetic analyses such as GWAS and genomic prediction, and what this integration means for trait discovery and plant breeding.
Joint Discussion Session
11:50 – 12:05
Discussion focused on the integration of phenomics, quantitative genetics, and field phenotyping approaches.
5. Translating Phenotyping Technologies into Practice
12:05 – 13:30
5.1 PhenoVation; Vincent Jalink
12:05 – 12:35
During this talk, we will introduce the principles behind chlorophyll fluorescence measurements and explain the importance of selecting the right measurement timing. We will also present practical examples showing how these measurements can detect early stress responses in plants before visual symptoms become visible. Join us to learn how photosynthesis efficiency measurements can provide deeper insights into plant performance under different environmental conditions.
5.2. Hiphen; Nicolas Bras, PhD
12:35 – 13:05
The presentation will highlight the role of high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) in early selection of promising genotypes, predictive breeding through phenomic prediction, and the acceleration of variety registration and evaluation processes. Special emphasis will be placed on pea breeding through collaborations with Peaboost and other breeding companies. Additional examples from strawberry, sunflower, and maize breeding programs will also be presented.
Industry Q&A and Final Discussion
13:05 – 13:20
Open discussion with industry representatives and workshop speakers.
Closing Remarks
13:20 h
Lunch
13:30 h