Queens University Phytotron – GROZINE

Advancing smarter, more energy-efficient farming

New technology will support researchers at the Queen’s Phytotron advance sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient food innovation. 

Queens University Phytotron | Queens University Gazette |

If you’ve ever looked up at the Queen’s Biosciences Complex and wondered about the greenhouse perched on its roof, you’re not alone. This plant haven is part of the Queen’s University Phytotron — a cutting-edge research facility designed for advanced plant science research and housed within the Department of Biology.  

The Phytotron includes six climate-controlled greenhouse zones, 30 environmental growth chambers, and a lab. Each area is equipped to mimic a wide range of environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, CO₂ levels, air flow, and light quality. The facility’s conservatory is home to more than 150 tropical plant species that support research in fields ranging from plant biology and agriculture to climate adaptation and global food security. 

In partnership with Globe Florex, an India-based AgriTech company, the Phytotron just got a high-tech upgrade. Featuring rotating vertical towers and advanced environmental controls, the state-of-the-art Revoponics system allows researchers to further fine-tune every aspect of plant growth — from light exposure to nutrient delivery — with real-time monitoring. With the goal of investigating smarter, more energy-efficient farming, the collaboration will boost Queen’s research capacity in areas like plant growth dynamics and sustainable food systems. It will also offer hands-on learning and unique training opportunities for both students and faculty. 

“Researchers can systematically manipulate environmental variables and gather real-time data, advancing our understanding of plant responses, optimizing growth protocols, and testing novel crop varieties or sustainable practices,” says Saeid Mobini, who is the Phytotron manager at Queen’s. “This capability accelerates innovation in controlled environment agriculture and fosters interdisciplinary research across biology, engineering, and data science to tackle complex food production challenges.” 

Beyond academic research, the Phytotron is also positioning itself to contribute more to Canadian agriculture and AgriTech. With the Revoponics system, researchers can explore new approaches to farming that use less water, space, and energy. The facility is equipped to test climate-resilient farming strategies suited to Canada’s diverse environments, including northern regions with shorter growing seasons. By simulating various climatic and aeroponics growth systems, the Phytotron can help find solutions for areas facing the effects of climate change. 

This partnership also supports the university’s broader commitment to sustainability and its alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and participation in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.  In particular, the partnership contributes to SDG 2: Zero Hunger, by advancing research on efficient, climate-resistant food production. The Revoponics system reduces agriculture’s environmental impact, using less water, energy, and fertilizer than traditional agriculture systems. The Phytotron’s new capabilities contribute to global efforts to create equitable access to food in the face of growing population pressures and amidst climate uncertainty. 

“The rate of plant growth, density of planting, and quality of produce is outstanding in the Revoponics vertical farming system. I am very excited that students and faculty will be able to obtain valuable hands-on experience with this state-of-art facility,” says Daniel Lefebvre, Queen’s professor of biology.

Original Article: https://www.queensu.ca/gazette/stories/advancing-smarter-more-energy-efficient-farming