A phytotron is a controlled environment chamber specifically designed for the cultivation and study of plants in a controlled environment. It serves as a suitable tool in conducting various scientific experiments and investigations related to plant growth, physiology, and response to different environmental factors. The word "phytotron" is derived from the Greek words "phyto" meaning plant, and "tron" meaning chamber or enclosure.
These chambers provide precise control over a range of environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, light intensity, day length, air composition (such as carbon dioxide and oxygen levels), and irrigation. By manipulating these variables, researchers can mimic and study different climatic conditions, such as arid desert, tropical rainforest, or high-altitude environments.
The phytotron's structure usually consists of one or more chambers, each equipped with specialized equipment necessary for controlling and monitoring the environmental conditions. Features commonly found in a phytotron include climate control systems, lighting systems (such as fluorescent or LED lights), irrigation systems, air filtration systems, and sensors for collecting data.
Phytotrons play a crucial role in plant research, providing scientists with a controlled and reproducible environment to investigate the effects of changing environmental variables on plant growth, development, and metabolic processes. They are utilized in a wide range of studies, including crop improvement, plant physiology, phenotyping, plant breeding, and even testing the effects of climate change on plant species.
