Testing experimental technologies with plants and microorganisms

Various technologies for plant stimulation, water treatment (e.g. hydrodynamic cavitation) or biophysical interactions can be tested with plants and microorganisms (like Baker’s yeast saccharomyces cerevisiae) to assess their effects on biological organisms.

Tests can be conducted with two different parameter sets: with plants with a shortened development cycle (for young plants with up to 14 days of development) and with a full development cycle. A short cycle is ideal for generating a large amount of data for e.g. AI systems, for setting a biofeedback or fast prototyping. Such data are collected in an indoor farm with crops such as wheat, oats or peas in soil-free and soil/substrate-based cultivation. Full development cycle can be tested with such plants as tomatoes, peppers or cucumber in conventional cultivation. Typically, tests take several weeks to accumulate statistically significant data.

Advanced methods for measuring various physiological responses are based on elecrochemical impedance spectroscopy, sap flow measurements, transpiration, mobile NMR, and optic/dielectric spectroscopy. The combination of different sensors allows the measurement of specific factors and their effects in different tissues in vivo. Biochemical analysis is performed in contract laboratories. The measurements also include environmental parameters, EM fields, (bio-)photonic and other effects.

Fast phenotype testing with bio- and phytosensors

All test parameters are similar to those used for testing experimental technologies. To measure the dynamics of wet biomass growth (or specific substances) in vivo, we apply dielectric spectroscopy. Field trials with our cooperation partners are also possible.

Using biofeedback for controlling the water deficit irrigation

For users of outdoor phytosensor systems (particularly based on EIS sensors for measuring plant water status), we offer the option of remote data analysis. The goal is to maintain a safe level of plant physiology with minimal water consumption.