• Charles Sturt and the Australian Plant Phenomics Network officially launch the APPN Charles Sturt University Node
• The node was announced during the Digital Agrifood Summit, Wagga Wagga, in late October
• Plant phenomics aids insight and analysis during plant research

Charles Sturt University and the Australian Plant Phenomics Network (APPN) have officially launched their new plant phenotyping node at the University’s AgriPark in Wagga Wagga.

This new collaboration was announced at the Digital Agrifood Summit (DAS24): Future-Fit Farming event in Wagga Wagga in late October and will help accelerate scientific and agricultural discoveries in plant research.

Plant phenotyping uses a combination of controlled growth infrastructure and digital imaging technologies to accelerate the development of improved crops and sustainable farming systems in a changing climate.

The APPN Charles Sturt Node provides researchers with opportunities to investigate plant phenology through aerial, ground-based and below-ground phenotyping technologies.

For example, Charles Sturt’s Rhyzolysimeter is one of the largest functioning lysimeters in the southern hemisphere and allows for in-depth soil analysis and provides a unique capability to study the ‘hidden half’ of plant agriculture, including plant root-soil interactions.

Node Manager and Global Digital Farm Technical Officer Mr Nelson West said the node will unlock new potential for research and innovations.

“We are extremely excited to have launched Charles Sturt University’s unique offering through the APPN,” he said.

“I look forward to working with other APPN Nodes and the wider plant science community to assist in enhancing their research with the use of our field phenotyping services as well as our Rhyzolysimeter and data analytic capabilities.”

APPN CEO Mr Richard Dickmann travelled to Wagga Wagga for the launch, joining Mr West, AgriPark Head of Digital and Sustainable Agriculture Mr Jon Medway, AgriPark Executive Director Mr Nick Pagett and Global Digital Farm Director Mr Hugh Palmer, plus local growers, agronomists, and industry researchers.

“APPN has a vision to deliver transformative solutions to our nation’s biggest agricultural challenges,” Mr Dickmann said.

“We are working to drive research excellence and innovation aimed at developing improved crops that benefit farmers, farm communities, consumers and the environment.

“The team and facilities at Charles Sturt University are an essential link in APPN’s national phenotyping infrastructure network.”