Crop phenomics: Emerging tools for next-generation field crop improvement

Abstract

Crop phenomics has emerged as a transformative discipline that bridges genomics and agronomy by enabling precise, high-throughput, and non-destructive measurement of plant traits. Over the past decade, more than 50 advanced phenotyping platforms have been established globally, ranging from controlled-environment facilities to field-based systems, underscoring the momentum of this technological revolution. With increasing demands for sustainable food production under climate change, phenomics offers unprecedented opportunities to accelerate genetic gains and optimize crop management. Recent advances in imaging technologies, sensor integration, and computational tools have expanded the scope of trait dissection in field crops. Ground-based systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and satellite-based remote sensing now provide scalable and high-resolution field phenotyping, while controlled-environment platforms deliver mechanistic insights into plant physiology and stress responses. The integration of hyperspectral, thermal, and 3D imaging with machine learning algorithms has enhanced trait extraction and predictive accuracy. Applications span diverse domains, including identification of stress-resilient genotypes, improvement of nutrient and water use efficiency, early disease detection, and precision breeding strategies. Despite these advances, challenges persist in data standardization, cost-effectiveness, and translating controlled-environment findings to field conditions. Adherence to FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles remains critical to ensure harmonized and comparable datasets across platforms. In future, the convergence of phenomics with genomics, enviromics, and artificial intelligence is poised to redefine crop improvement pipelines, enabling the development of resilient, high-yielding, and resource-efficient cultivars. This review synthesizes current tools and applications, highlighting the pivotal role of crop phenomics in advancing global food and nutritional security.