The recent interest in phenomics has been in part due to the rapid development of the other -omics technologies: genomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. The cost of these technologies has decreased enough to allow routine use, which has in turn led to a “phenotyping bottleneck”, a need to be able to better understand gene function and plant response to environment.

However, phenomics has been around for a long time and is fundamental to plant science. There are very few papers published by plant scientists that don’t incorporate some phenomics (e.g. plant biomass measurements). Precision agriculture is heavily dependent on measuring plant performance. Growers are increasingly using new technologies to measure plant growth and yield. Plant breeders are dependent on good phenomics in measuring yield and quality traits in new varieties.

Modern phenomics is simply using new technologies to do what was done previously with greater accuracy or with greater ease, and to measure aspects of plant growth and physiology that previously were not possible or were not possible with high throughput and precision.

Plant phenomics is a science that has the power to transform our lives. By exploring how the genetic makeup of an organism determines its appearance, function and performance, phenomics can help us tackle these pressing challenges.

With a rapidly growing world population, a transformational advance in grain production must occur to increase yield by 50-60% to meet projected global food demand. Groundwater sources are declining around the world, increasing soil salinity and causing losses in crop production and grazing land in many countries.

These global production issues are particularly pertinent to Australia which faces long periods of heat, drought and increasing salinity, undermining farm productivity. Increasing the yield in crops, particularly in these marginal environmental conditions, using novel approaches that exploit robotics, machine learning, computer vision and genetics technologies will significantly increase global food quality and production, and reduce environmental degradation.

Australia is in an outstanding position in plant science. Australian agriculture is amongst the most innovative in the world and has tremendous growth opportunities, and Australian farmers are highly qualified and eager to adopt novel systems for efficient and sustainable farming. This is an exciting time for plant phenomics and plant science.

Humanitarian
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), an expected population increase to 9 billion by 2050 will require our food production to double. As one of the most food-secure nations in the world, Australia will need to play a major role in contributing to food production demand.

Nutritional
Malnutrition and undernutrition as well as overweight and obesity impose high economic and social costs on countries at all income levels. Whilst the human and social consequences of poor nutrition are immeasurable, the costs of undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are estimated at 2-3 per cent of global GDP, equivalent to US$1.4-2.1 trillion per year. The economic costs of overweight and obesity were estimated by the FAO to be about US$2 trillion in 2013.

Environmental
Crop production is aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of yield. This is a major challenge in the face of climate change, declining arable land and biotic and abiotic plant stresses. In addition, the overuse of fertilisers is causing environmental pollution. Watch this short story to learn more about the challenges of developing plant varieties that can better cope with drought and salinity.

Economic
Australia is one of the most food-secure nations. Australian Government statistics tell us that approximately 60% of our food production is exported to other countries. The food production export value in 2011/12 was $30.5 billion.