Plant Growth Facility

The Plant Growth Facility (PGF) is a state-of-the-art facility built for research product development. It includes 49 controlled environment plant growth chambers/rooms and 28 greenhouse compartments attached to the main building by a fully enclosed corridor. Computer controlled systems continuously monitor environmental greenhouse and chamber conditions and alert PGF staff if conditions deviate from programmed parameters. The staff provides daily care of plants according to specified conditions so that researchers are able to focus more completely on their science and not on plant care.

DESCRIPTION | RESEARCH TEAM | FEES | VIRTUAL TOUR

Core Description

Christopher S. "Kit" Bond Plant Growth Chambers and Growth Rooms

Located on the lower level of the research building is the 5400 square foot area containing the 33 Conviron chambers and 16 Conviron rooms which all together provide 2,784 square feet of controlled environment plant growth space. These growth chambers and rooms have the capacity for variable lighting, temperature, CO2 concentrations, and humidity. Adjacent to this area is a 1850 square foot potting area with a soils handling room. This area has work counters, sinks, storage shelves with potting supplies, and a biological materials sterilizer.

Greenhouses

The greenhouses, including the Jack C. Taylor Greenhouse, are comprised of a mixture of houses with or without benches, heated floor-growth houses, houses with higher amounts of supplemental lighting, mist propagation areas, and taller roofed houses for crops such as corn, switchgrass and trees. All houses are equipped for the potential of automated watering and fertilization, including sub-irrigation. HID lighting is used in all houses daily to supplement sunlight intensity and to extend day length. Three air-conditioned houses allow for extremely tight temperature control year round. Wide corridors allow ease of movement of plants and service areas include a biosafety sterilizer.