The new building houses 10 phytotrons for growing plants. Phytotrons are growth chambers that provide optimal conditions of light, temperature, and relative humidity for development of diseases of crops, such as tomato and watermelon. The more precise and reproducible control of the environment are critical to disease resistance breeding. Tests can be conducted year-round in the Phytotron building, and with more reproducibility than in the greenhouse.
The building has been outfitted with many advanced and sustainable features. One of the uniquely sustainable features is a high-tech wastewater filtration system, which filters the used building water, which is then entered into a storage tank for landscape irrigation use on the facility grounds. LED lighting is also featured throughout the growing chambers for energy efficiency, uses less toxic materials and is longer lasting. The building will be in full effect in quarter 4 of this year.
“During the tour of the new building, the phytopathology team couldn’t help but brag to our colleagues about the capabilities of our new building. Now, we’re eager to demonstrate how valuable this investment is for conducting good research“, says Mark Ricker, Tomato Pathologist.
Paul Degreef (Global Head Crop Development) speaks to attendees regarding R&D outlook and visions
Bayer: Science For A Better Life
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2014, the Group employed around 119,000 people and had sales of EUR 42.2 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.5 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 3.6 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which is to be floated on the stock market as Covestro by mid-2016 at the latest.
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Species
From Left to Right: Ira Stein (Head of Breeding North America), Dan McClellan (Regional Farm Head Americas), Paul Degreef (Global Head Crop Development), Dan Tabar (Farm Manager Acampo & Esparto) and Mark Ricker (Tomato Pathologist).
