Phytotron

Overview

The Phytotron provides all services necessary to conduct many types of controlled environment experiments, from the simplest to the most complex. The Phytotron staff performs all preparation, configuration, and maintenance of the growth chambers or greenhouse units, and any routine plant care requested, including watering fertilization, and pest control. Routine daily plant care including pest control is included in the space rental fee. The Phytotron is staffed seven days a week, allowing off-site researchers to run experiments without having to make extended visits. Chambers and greenhouses are continuously monitored and maintained. Staff members are on call 24 hours a day to respond to environmental control problems before they adversely affect experiments in progress. Expertise in electronics and instrumentation is available for routine instrument maintenance or developing equipment for specialized uses. The Phytotron staff has extensive experience growing many species of native and agricultural from different habitats. Phytotron horticulturists are available to provide advice concerning plant cultivation issues.

 

Chamber Type# Available# OccupiedDuke User Rental Fee (per day)
R Chamber Type 186$2.18
R Chamber Type 208$3.47
R Chamber Type 344$3.47
G Chamber06$8.40
S Chamber Type 128$9.70
S Chamber Type 210$14.49
L Chamber19$28.49
T Chamber62$13.17
Glasshouse Chamber24$24.49
Contact max.betts@duke.edu for rental fees for users outside of Duke

Equipment

This is a noninclusive list of equipment available for Phytotron users. Check with the Phytotron staff for more information. Before using any of the workshop equipment users must receive shop safety training. Contact Todd Smith <tghsmith@duke.edu> for shop safety training.

  • growing media mixer and steaming equipment
  • reverse osmosis water treatment system
  • Type II "Laboratory Grade" water treatment system
  • drying oven
  • balances
  • leaf area meters
  • thermocouples
  • quantum sensors
  • dataloggers
  • LI-COR 6200 photosynthesis system
  • Apogee PS-100 spectroradiometer
  • fertilizer injectors
  • pH and conductivity meters
  • workshop          
    • table saw
    • drill press
    • lathe
    • bench sander
    • band saw 
    • bench grinder
    • soldering irons

Supplies

A supply of commonly used horticultural supplies, including various artificial soil mixes, containers, and labels, are kept in stock.  We can order any additional necessary supplies. All supplies are charged at our wholesale cost to the respective fund code. Please check with Phytotron staff concerning supply needs. Researchers may provide their own supplies subject to Phytotron approval.

Chamber Description:Chamber Specifications:

Each of these units contains 2 small reach-in chambers capable of independent control. 

Chamber Features:

  • Temperature Control
  • Humidity Control
  • Fluorescent + Incandescent Lighting

Chamber Dimensions: 

Temperature: 5°C-40°C

Humidity Range: 40%-90%

Light Intensity: 50-150 µmol/m2/s

Number of Chambers: 7 units with 2 chambers each for a total of 14

R Chamber T/B
Chamber Description:Chamber Specifications:

"R" chambers are small reach-in chambers, with dimmable lighting and adjustable CO2 control. These chambers are ideal for small plants that need more room than typical rack lighting setups offer. 

Chamber Features:

  • Temperature control
  • CO2 control (scrubbing and injection)
  • Dimmable fluorescent + incandescent lighting
  • Chamber dimensions: 1.2 m wide x .91 m deep x 1 m. tall
  • Temperature: Lighted: 12° to 40° C; Dark: 4°  to 40° C
  • Humidity range: ambient (no humidity control)
  • CO2 range: 200-1000 ppm
  • Maximum light intensity: 350 µmols m-2s-1 PAR 
  • Number of chambers: 8
Phytotron R Chamber type 1 Exterior
Chamber Description:Chamber Specifications:

"R" chambers are small reach-in chambers, with dimmable lighting and adjustable CO2 control. These chambers are ideal for small plants that need more room than typical rack lighting setups offer. These chambers use ceramic metal halide lamps to provide high light intensity.

Chamber Features:

  • Temperature control
  • CO2 control (scrubbing and injection)
  • Dimmable ceramic metal halide lighting
  • High maximum light intensity
  • Chamber dimensions: 1.2 m wide x .91 m deep x 1 m. tall
  • Temperature: Lighted: 12° to 40° C; Dark: 4°  to 40° C
  • Humidity: ambient (no humidity control)
  • CO2 range: 200-1000 ppm
  • Maximum light intensity: 1000 µmols m-2s-1 PAR 
  • Number of chambers: 8
Phytotron R Chamber type 2 Exterior
Chamber DescriptionChamber Specifications:

"S" chambers are small walk-in chambers with high light intensity, temperature, humidity, and CO2 control. These chambers are ideal for small to medium sized plants, with a maximum growing height of XX ft.

Chamber Features:

  • Temperature control
  • CO2 control (scrubbing and injection)
  • Metal halide + incandescent lighting
  • High maximum light intensity
  • Chamber dimensions: 2.4 m wide x 1.2 m deep x 2.1 m tall
  • Temperature: Lighted: 12° to 40° C; Dark: 2° to 30° C
  • Humidity: 4 chambers: 15%-90%; 6 chambers: 40%-90%
  • CO2 range: 200-1000 ppm
  • Maximum light intensity: 1200 µmols m-2s-1 PAR 
  • Number of chambers: 10
Phytotron S Chamber Exterior
Chamber Description:Chamber Specifications:

This small walk-in chamber is equipped with rack lighting and humidity control.

Chamber Features:

  • Temperature Control
  • Humidity Control

Chamber dimensions: 2.4 m wide x 1.2 m deep x 2.1 m tall

Temperature: Lighted: 12° to 40° C; Dark: 10° to 30° C

Humidity range: 40%-90%

Maximum light intensity: 300 µmol/m2/s PAR

Chamber G-1 Interior
Chamber Description:Chamber Specifications:

These large walk-in chambers feature 3.6-meter-high ceilings to accommodate tall crops like maize, or small trees. The wall between each pair of T chambers is removable to create a larger combined space if needed.

Chamber Features:

  • Temperature Control
  • Humidity Control
  • CO2 Injection
  • High Light Intensity
  • Chamber dimensions: 1.2 m wide x 2.8 m deep x 3.6 m tall
  • Temperature range: Lighted: 8° to 45° C; Dark: 5° to 40° C
  • Humidity range: 40% to 90%
  • CO2 range: 350-1000 ppm
  • Maximum light intensity: 1400 µmol/m2/s PAR
  • Lamps: metal halide + incandescent
Phytotron T Chamber Exterior
Chamber Description:Chamber Specifications:

"L" chambers are large walk-in chambers outfitted with customizable rack lighting. Both LED and fluorescent lighting units are available. These chambers also feature desiccant dehumidifiers which allow for a broader range of humidity control.

Chamber Features:

  • Temperature Control
  • Humidity Control
  • CO2 Control
  • Chemical Dehumidifiers
  • Chamber dimensions: 2.4 m wide x 3.7 m deep x 2.1 m tall
  • Temperature range: Lighted: 12° to 35° C; Dark: 2° to 30° C
  • Humidity range: 30%-90% 
  • CO2 range: 350-1000 ppm
  • Maximum light intensity: 350 µmol/m2/s PAR
Phytotron L Chamber Interior

 

Chamber Description:Chamber Specifications:
The Phytotron has six glasshouse units that can be tightly controlled for temperature and CO2. Unlike a traditional greenhouse, these units have no external ventilation and are cooled by dedicated air handlers. This allows for better temperature control and protection from common pests. These units are skinned with large panes of low-iron glass for maximum light transmittance and feature supplemental HPS lighting. 
  • Unit dimensions: 6.7 m wide x 7.3 m deep x 2.4-5.2 m tall
  • Temperature: Day: 17° to 35° C; Night 10° to 30° C
  • Humidity range: ambient (no humidity control)
  • CO2 range: 350-1000 ppm
Phytotron Glasshouse Interior