The mission of the PSI Research Center is to empower the scientific community with advanced infrastructure and expert support for plant cultivation and imagebased phenotyping across controlled environments, greenhouses, and field conditions. We facilitate hands-on access to technology, proof-of-concept validation, and integrated biological and technical solutions to maximize research potencial.
Our Services
Plant cultivation
Precisely controlled growing conditions, including temperature, humidity with independently adjustable photoperiods, which are essential for optimal plant development. Advanced programming capabilities allow for the simulation of natural environmental conditions, such as day/night cycles, dawn/dusk transitions, and cloudy sky effects.
PlantScreenTM Systems
State-of-the-art technology with integrated robotic solutions designed for digital phenotyping on temporal and spatial levels and monitoring of plants across their entire life cycle. Capacity from small to mid-sized plants (up to 50 cm) up to large crop plants with a maximum height of 1.2 m. Key features include automated plant handling,
high-resolution imaging, and precise irrigation schemes.
Data analysis
PSI Data Analytics Services provide customized solutions to enable biological researchers to gain deeper insights from the spatiotemporal phenomic data. With end-to-end support from data collection to visualization, we simplify workflows and drive meaningful scientific outcomes. As part of our advanced analysis services, we provide (i) high-quality data visualization to reveal hidden patterns and relationships, (ii) rigorous statistical evaluation of experimental results, and (iii) tailored development of machine learning models to pinpoint valuable plant traits of interest.
Imaging sensors
High-end fully integrated phenotyping technologies include imaging sensors for the visible light spectrum (RGB), invisible light spectrum, chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, thermal imaging, 3D laser scanning and VNIR/SWIR hyperspectral reflectance imaging units. Digital trait assessment relies on analyzing a broad spectrum of electromagnetic wavelengths to deliver comprehensive insights into plant health, development, and physiological performance.
Automated plant scoring
Our advanced toolkit of data processing methods enables us to extract important features to integrate a complete and insightful picture obtained from all the imaging sensors. Automated data handling supports all acquired imaging processes, including pre-processing, segmentation, and feature extraction. A comprehensive software package enables full system control, data acquisition, image analysis, and monitors environmental conditions.
Phenotyping platforms
We provide state-of-art infrastructure for plant cultivation and automated high-throughput phenotyping from small to large scales.
PlantScreenTM SC System
A portable, small-scale phenotyping platform designed for flexible, low-throughput phenotyping. Easily transferable to greenhouse compartments or climate chambers, it enables convenient integration into diverse research environments. The system supports flexible configurations for various plant types, with top-view and multi-angle side-view data collection, light-isolated imaging cabins, and plant identification via barcode.
PlantScreenTM Compact System
Designed for small to mid-sized plants up to 40 cm in height, this system combines robotic-assisted imaging units with precise weighing and watering regimes for efficient, automated phenotyping and supporting high-throughput analysis. An integrated acclimatization chamber enables plants to acclimate under controlled conditions prior to imaging.
PlantScreenTM Modular System
Designed for mid-sized to large plants up to 120 cm in height, this system is installed inside of greenhouse with a capacity of 270 pots. Array of advanced imaging sensors for structural, physiological and biochemical phenotyping, including an adaptation tunnel installed inside a climate-controlled chamber. The system provides a complete solution for non-invasive phenotyping and precise plant watering for major crops over their life cycle.
PlantScreenTM Root System
Rhizobox-based platform enables both root and shoot phenotyping, offering a unique dual-perspective analysis for plants up to 50 cm. The system features multiple imaging sensors, including RGB, NIR and multispectral imaging, adjustable rhizobox angle positioning and positional irrigation. Each rhizobox measures 360 × 295 × 30 mm (H × W × D), providing ample rooting space for small to mid-sized plants.
PlantScreenTM Field System
The system features multiple sensor modules mounted on a high-clearance vehicle (e.g., tractor) with an adjustable arm, enabling automated movement over field plots at speeds optimized for high-throughput analysis. Equipped with active sensors for monitoring a wide range of plant traits, the system provides precise, time- and location-referenced data.
Download the information sheet here.
Our infrastructure
The PSI Research Center infrastructure is available in a fee4service and/or collaboration project mode to national and international user from academia and industry.
Our partners
Our projects
The PSI Research Center transforms cutting-edge phenotyping infrastructure and expert scientific support into high-impact research outputs, generating a strong portfolio of peer-reviewed publications. This work is further showcased through numerous posters and presentations at leading international scientific conferences, highlighting our active role in driving innovation and visibility in plant science.
Belowground Dynamics Revealed Root-to-Shoot Stress Response Dynamics: A Case Study of Barley Drought Resilience.
Abdelhakim L., Pleskačová B., Panzarová K., Kashkan I., Ullah S., Retzer K.
PSI (Photon Systems Instruments), spol. s r.o. I Research Center, 2026
Revealing Plant Responses to Combined Abiotic Stresses Using Image-based Phenotyping.pdf.
Abdelhakim L., Panzarová K., Teige M.
PSI (Photon Systems Instruments), spol. s r.o. I Research Center, 2025
Integrative phenotyping combined with modelling as a tool for predicting harvest-related traits.
Abdelhakim L., Tietze H., Pleskačová B., Kurtz-Sohn A., Fridman E., Panzarová K., Nikoloski Z.
PSI (Photon Systems Instruments), spol. s r.o. I Research Center, 2025
Phenotypic characterisation of barley drought responses using High-Throughput imaging reveals genotype-specific adaptation strategies.
Ogrodowicz P.,Abdelhakim L., Pleskačová B., Kuczyńska A.,Mikołajczak K., Kempa M., Michałek M., Maryniak D., Gavlak M., Panzarová K.
PSI (Photon Systems Instruments), spol. s r.o. I Research Center, 2024
Genetic variation of drought-stress tolerance in Scots pine.
Neuwirthová E., Stejskal J., Lhotáková Z., Čepl J., Korecký J., PanzarováK., Albrechtová J., Lstibůrek M.
PSI (Photon Systems Instruments), spol. s r.o. I Research Center, 2024
Automated X-ray-based Spike Analysis for Grain Characterization.
Ullah S., Hejátko J., Abdelhakim L., Gladilin E., Panzarová K., Trtílek M.
PSI (Photon Systems Instruments), spol. s r.o. I Research Center, 2024
Sunlit Insights. Transferring Hyperspectral Imaging From Lab to Field.
Kashkan I., Pytela J., Tarkowski P., de Diego N., Panzarová K.
PSI (Photon Systems Instruments), spol. s r.o. I Research Center, 2024
Using Image-based Phenotyping to Understand Plant Responses to Combined Abiotic Stresses.
Abdelhakim L., Pleskačová B., Panzarová K., Zagorščak M., and Teige M.
J. Vis. Exp. doi:10.3791/66255, 2024.
Spike App: Automated Image Analysis of Grain Spikes In Greenhouse High throughput Cereal Crop Analysis with Advanced Spike Detection Toolbox.
Ullah S., Hejátko J., Abdelhakim L., Gladilin E., Panzarová K., Trtílek M.
PSI (Photon Systems Instruments), spol. s r.o. I Research Center, 2024
High-throughput automated phenotyping as a shortcut to more effective biostimulants: from seeds to crops.
Sorrentino M., De Diego N., Colla G., Spíchal L., Rouphael Y., Panzarová K.
PSI (Photon Systems Instruments), spol. s r.o. I Research Center, 2020
Lettuce reaction to drought stress: high-throughput automated phenotyping of growth and photosynthetic performance.
Sorrentino M., Colla G., Rouphael Y. and Panzarová K.
3nd IPAP, 26-29th August. 2018 Prague, CZ
Novel high-throughput approach in discovering and understanding the mode of action of plant biostimulants.
Sorrentino M., Paul K., Bonini P., Canaguier R., Lucini L., Colla G. and Panzarová K.
3nd IPAP, 26-29th August. 2018 Prague, CZ
Automated integrative phenotyping of drought tolerance in barley.
Marečková L, Benedikty Z., Pytela J., Panzarová K., Trtílek M. and Klém K.
3nd IPAP, 26-29th August. 2018 Prague, CZ
High-throughput analysis of morpho-physiological traits contributing to drought stress
response in Arabidopsis thaliana using PlantScreenTM Compact System.
Marečková L, Benedikty Z., Pytela J., Trtílek M. and Panzarová K.
3nd IPAP, 26-29th August. 2018 Prague, CZ
High-throughput screening tools for identification of traits contributing to salinity tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Awlia M., Nigro A., Fajkus J., Trtílek M., Tester M., Julkowska M.M. and Panzarová K.
2nd COST meeting, 17-19th April. 2016 Copenhagen DN
Using automated high-throughput phenotyping to quantify and visualize early stress responses in plants.
Panzarová K., Fajkus J., Benedikty Z. and Trtílek M.
EPPN Metting, 11-12th November 2015 Barcelona SP
Application of high throughput phenotyping via PlantScreenTM System to study early plant stress responses to progressive drought stress.
Šimková K., Madhavan S., Benedikty Z. , Santelia D. and Trtílek M.
Phenodays 29-31st October 2014, Beaune FR
PlantScreenTM as a new tool for high throughput plant phenotyping.
Šimková K., Suchomelova M., Benedikty Z. and Trtílek M.
Phenodays 10-12th October 2012, Wageningen NL
