Rothamsted’s Glasshouses and Controlled Environment Services Department is responsible for developing and maintaining the specialist plant growth and ancillary support facilities here at Rothamsted, in order to meet the highly diverse research requirements of our scientific community.
A wide variety of research plants, ranging from temperate to tropical are grown in glasshouses, outdoor cages, polytunnel and controlled environments, and are carefully tended by our team of 10 dedicated staff. More than 500,000 plants are raised per annum for a variety of research purposes, which include studies into nutrition, plant physiology, metabolic and genetic transformation. Plants are also grown to use as food for the Institute’s insect colonies. Pest and disease control is managed through a combination of good plant hygiene, biological control and the safe application of pesticides.
The controlled environment and glasshouses can provide a diverse range of environments from tropical to desert to tundra. Lighting spectrum can be adjusted to meet user requirements. Monitoring, as well as good control of temperature humidity, lighting and carbon dioxide can be provided.
Apart from internal contracts, external contracts from universities, small and large companies are supported.
