Parent institution: University of Copenhagen, Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Active since 2013
Active through 24 hours a day/7 days a week/365 days a year
Bruun, Sander
email: sab@plen.ku.dk
The facilities include of state-of-the-art automated greenhouses, climate chambers and semi-field experiments, where all growth parameters can be managed (Incl. CO2). The ongoing research at the facilities have a particular focus on the effects of climate gradients and extremes on the physiology and growth of crop plants, as well as basic research investigating the interactions between plants, insects and microorgansims (Ecosystems approaches). The present plant growth facilities in Taastrup include:
• 1200 m2 greenhouse, divided into 10 units of 50 m2 and 2 units of 36 m2 (2014)
• 1250 m2 greenhouse, divided into 4 growth units of 250 m2 (1994)
• 300 m2 greenhouse, divided into 10 growth units of 25 m2 (1985)
• 6 walk-in growth chambers, each with 3 m2 growth area (1962, continuously updated)
• 4 reach-in growth chambers, each with 1 m2 growth area (1985)
• 3 rooms for vernalisation of plants, with a total of 55 m2 (2002)
• 1 growth chamber with freezing temperatures, 3 m2 (1995)
Country: Denmark
Latitude: 55.6666667
Longitude: 12.30000
Nearest town: Taastrup
Distance from neaerst town: 4 km
The scientific objective is gaining a basic understanding of the biochemical and pfysiological mechanisms and processes that govern plant growth and their interactions with the surrounding environment.
The PLEN PHYTOTRON together with the PLEN Agro Ecosystems provide a strong ecosystem framework for a detailed analysis of climate change, pollution and land-use pressure effects on crop production, food security and biodiversity.
The main limitation is the current age of the growth chambers at the facility, which are in need of upgrades to be more efficient and better facilitate demands of future climate change studies.
Experiments duration: Weeks, Months, Years;
Total area: 1200 m²
12 cells of approx. 50 m2 and several minor climate chambersAvailable area: 1200 m²
12 cells of approx. 50 m2 and several minor climate chambersunit size: 50 m²
Replicates number: 12
Electricity available on site.
Years measured:
Mean Temperature: °C
February Mean Temperature: °C
July Mean Temperature: °C
Mean Annual Speed: m/s
Max. Annual Speed: m/s
Dominant Direction:
Total annual precipitation: mm
Mean snow cover duration: 0 days
| Variable | Ecosystem | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 | Agrosystem | Active |
| Warming | Agrosystem | Active |
| Precip | Agrosystem | Active |
| Hydro | Agrosystem | Active |
| Soileutroph | Agrosystem | Active |
| Watereutroph | Agrosystem | Active |
| Desert | Agrosystem | Active |
| Management - Nutrients (levels or nutrient type) | Agrosystem | Active |
| Management - pesticides (or other non-nutrient chemicals) | Agrosystem | Active |
| Management - conventional vs. organic or other eco-friendly practice | Agrosystem | Active |
| Management - species and/or ecotype combinations | Agrosystem | Active |
| Management - traditional (or native) vs. new (or non-native) species | Agrosystem | Active |
| Habitatfrag | Agrosystem | Active |
| GMO | Agrosystem | Active |
| Pests | Agrosystem | Active |
| Biodiversity | Agrosystem | Active |
Up to 80 people
Up to 80 people
Up to 100 visitors
No beds on site
Showers on site
No laundry on site