Quantifying the importance of 3D leaf and stem architecture for a Functional-Structural Plant Modelling of dwarf tomatoes in vertical farming

This project forms a component of a broader initiative aimed at identifying the architectural ideotypes of dwarf tomato plants, which enhance carbon assimilation in vertical farming environments.This research focuses on the intricate 3D structural details of leaves and stems. The aim is to integrate these detailed architectural aspects into an existing Functional-Structural Plant Model (FSPM). This integration will allow for a more comprehensive and accurate representation of dwarf tomato plants in vertical farming contexts, potentially leading to more efficient and productive farming methods. The project will involve extensive data collection on the 3D architecture of dwarf tomato plants, utilizing advanced imaging techniques and 3D modeling tools. These data will then be used to enhance the FSPM, making it a more powerful tool for simulating plant growth and development in vertical farming systems.

Objective: To enhance an FSPM for dwarf tomato plants by accurately incorporating the 3D architectural details of leaves and stems, thereby improving the model’s effectiveness in vertical farming applications.

Specific Tasks:

Conduct detailed 3D imaging and analysis of dwarf tomato plant leaves and stems.
Integrate these 3D structural details into the FSPM to improve its realism and accuracy.
Validate the updated model in a vertical farming context, ensuring it reflects real-world growth patterns and plant behaviors.

Used skills

• Plant growth and development measurements
• Architectural measurements
• Data analysis
• Plant phenotyping (e.g. leaf area, petiole length, pictures)
• Taking care of plants in a vertical farm system
• Performing climate chambers experiments
• Programming

Interested in doing a BSc or MSc thesis at HPP? Please contact Katharina Hanika or Kim Vanderwolk via the HPP office (office.hpp@wur.nl).