Phytotron

Phytotron At the end of 2006 a phytotron was installed at the Società Produttori Sementi research laboratories. This instrument aids research in plant genetics that will allow the company to obtain lines with the requested characteristics more rapidly. A phytotron is, in fact, an environment for research and experimentation on plants, isolated from the outside world by insulated walls, inside which it is possible to create very precise and uniform environmental conditions through special lighting, refrigeration, heating, irrigation, nutrition and artificial humidification systems. The availability of a phytotron brings considerable advantages to the research activity of PSB. The maintenance of the required environmental conditions over all seasons does, in fact, enable wheat cultivation even during periods in which this is not possible in greenhouses, environments that are much less isolated from the outside world than the phytotron. It will therefore be possible to perform 4-5 cultivation cycles a year for the most interesting products (more than double those obtainable in greenhouses) thus arriving more rapidly at lines with the required characteristics. There is therefore a considerable competitive advantage, reducing by 30-40% the time needed to get from cross to registration of a new variety. The presence of an irrigation and fertilization system subdivided into sectors also allows us to control more precisely the quantity of water and fertilizer given to the plants. This will provide more accurate studies on "Water Use Efficiency" and "Nitrogen Use Efficiency", research subjects already involving PSB through its participation in various Research Projects.