Greenhouses & Insectary
The Institute's greenhouse facilities were recently updated to implement the best in controlled climate technology, including full temperature, CO2 and light control.
Three state-of-the-art glasshouses offer access to precision-controlled growing facilities.
Researchers are conducting experiments to assess the effect of elevated CO2 on eucalypts, cotton and other plant species.
These experiments assess the effects of modified climate conditions on insect, plant and soil dynamics and predict the outcomes from higher temperatures, increased water use and changes in insect pest populations.
The greenhouses use precision control to maintain temperature and CO2 levels. There is a traditional glass-panelled house with eight sunlit compartments, computer-controlled air temperature and CO2 levels maintained by infra-red gas monitors.
There are also refrigeration units and humidifiers to study the interaction between low temperatures or humidity with different CO2 levels and the effect on plant growth.
Experiments in this facility explore the interactions between plants and insects under different CO2 and temperature regimes...
A second greenhouse has complete temperature, humidity and CO2 computer control and includes two compartments built to quarantine standard.
It is used primarily as an insectary and explores the interactions between plants and insects under different CO2 and temperature regimes as part of experiments seeking to understand the effects of climate change on forests and ecosystems.
A third, brand new greenhouse is coming online in 2014 to expand the available capacity of controlled-environment greenhouse space. This greenhouse will have complete temperature, humidity and CO2 computer control, four compartments built to quarantine standard and the inclusion of state of the art horticultural LED lights.
