The Center for Plant Phenotyping and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CPP-CEA) at IPB University recently hosted an international webinar, bringing together leading experts from Japan to discuss the latest innovations in smart environmental control technology and real-time plant physiology monitoring. The event highlighted the strategic role of CPP-CEA in integrating sensing, modeling, and automation technologies to enhance crop productivity and food security.
Prof Aris Purwanto, Vice Dean of Resources, Cooperation, and Development at the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, IPB University, opened the webinar by emphasizing the importance of CPP-CEA. “CPP-CEA is a leading research center that integrates sensing, modeling, and automation technologies to increase crop productivity and food security,” he stated. He noted that the webinar not only enriched academic discussions but also created opportunities for long-term research collaboration between IPB University and Japanese partner universities. Prof Aris encouraged all participants to actively engage in discussions, exchange ideas, and build research networks to foster innovation-based and sustainable agriculture.
Dr Slamet Widodo, head of CPP-CEA, introduced two new research facilities developed through collaboration between IPB University and South Korean research partners: smart greenhouses and indoor vertical farming. “These two facilities will be important infrastructure for the development of research related to plant phenotyping and controlled environment agriculture technology,” said Dr Slamet, who is also a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Biosystems Engineering at IPB University.
The first speaker, Prof Kotaro Takayama from Toyohashi University of Technology and Ehime University, discussed the urgency of environment-controlled production systems, such as intelligent greenhouses and indoor farming, to meet the demand for stable and high-quality fresh vegetables. He emphasized the importance of plant-guided control, an approach to environmental regulation based on plant physiological responses rather than environmental parameters alone. Prof Takayama introduced a real-time photosynthesis and transpiration monitoring system using an open-chamber design. “This physiological data enables early detection of plant stress, such as invisible drought, while helping farmers assess additional light requirements and optimize CO₂ needs,” he explained. He also presented the development of imaging robotics to monitor plant growth distribution, crucial for maintaining the balance between vegetative and generative growth.
Associate Prof Naomichi Fujiuchi from Ehime University followed with an explanation of whole-plant photosynthesis and transpiration monitoring technology, which is already in use in commercial greenhouses in Japan to support cultivation decision-making. “By analyzing the relationship between plant responses to environmental variables such as light radiation and humidity deficit, researchers can identify physiological anomalies and detect plant stress quantitatively,” he explained. He also introduced mathematical models and automatic stress detection algorithms that reduce dependence on expert intuition, making greenhouse management more objective and efficient.
In an additional session, Dr Taufiq from Toyohashi University of Technology introduced a handy-type photosynthesis measurement system, a portable device designed to facilitate the measurement of photosynthesis and transpiration in the field by agricultural practitioners. “With its light weight, complete sensors, and measurement capabilities under both natural and artificial light, this device is expected to be a practical solution for direct monitoring of plant responses,” he explained.
Dr Slamet Widodo concluded the webinar by emphasizing the importance of utilizing plant physiology technology to increase productivity and profitability in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems. He highlighted that international collaboration and technological development would accelerate the transformation of agriculture towards a more precise, efficient, and sustainable system.
The webinar underscored the critical role of advanced technologies in modern agriculture and the potential for international collaboration to drive innovation. As the global population continues to grow, the need for sustainable and efficient agricultural practices becomes ever more pressing. The insights and technologies discussed at the webinar represent significant steps towards meeting these challenges and ensuring food security for future generations.