The main factor in lack of technology adaptation is due to the absence of information on crop performance, technological suitability and the integration of technologies that have been developed to address plantation problems more effectively and thoroughly. One of the major branches of research in understanding the performance of this plant is the phenotype research that can improve the agronomic properties and improve crop yields.

The "phenotyping" process is a comprehensive assessment of complex plant features including growth, survival, ventilation, architecture, physiology, ecology, results and other basic quantitative information that can explain these complex features. In the focus of this phenotype plantation research, focus will be on the two main stages of laboratory and farm. In laboratories, phenomics such as genomic function, systemic and phylogenetic biology will be applied. On the other hand, wireless sensor network technology, unmanned aircraft (UAV), remote and close sensing, robotics and artificial intelligence will be used. At the same time, focus will be on integrated technology adaptation research as most existing plantation technologies do not take on the physical condition of plantations and crop health status that make it difficult for technology adaptation. To ensure effective use of technology, emphasized features are real-time, accurate and cost-effective to the farm's physical condition and crop health status.

Technology that has been developed based on phenotype research such as molecular diagnostics and remote and near-sensing will be innovated in accordance with the physical condition of the plantation and the current situation of plants such as pattern and distance of cultivation and topography, or status of disease and nutrition.

Graduates of this field will be able to venture into career as field managers, researchers, lecturers, agronomists, consultants, and policy makers in government or private organizations. The career is not limited to within the country, but also to compete internationally.


ENTRY REQUIREMENT
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LIST OF EXPERTS

Faculty of Engineering
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rimfiel Janius

Institute for Plantation Studies
Prof. Dr. Robiah Yunus
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siti Khairunniza Bejo 
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazmi Mat Nawi 

Faculty of Agriculture
Prof. Datin Dr. Siti Nor Akmar Abdullah
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siva Kumar Balasundram
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Farrah Melissa Muharam
Dr. Mohd Shafar Jefri Mokhatar

Updated:: 07/02/2021 [aslamiah]