The University of Missouri is enhancing its plant biology program with a major US$28.2 million expansion of a state-of-the-art research greenhouse and plant growth chamber facility.
The new facility will have 22,880 square feet (2,126 square meters) of research greenhouse space, with some of the greenhouse modules featuring plant growth height of up to 21 feet, 6 inches (6.5 meters) - the tallest on the MU campus.
The East Campus Plant Growth Facility will promote the continued success and enhancement of the campus’ plant biology programs. The project is expected to be completed by summer 2019. Photo courtesy Bill Lamberson/Robert Sharp.
The new plant growth chambers will control lighting, temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide. The facility will feature 9,385 square feet (872 square meters) of space for controlled environment plant growth research and include seed storage and drying rooms as well. The project is expected to be completed by summer 2019. 
Artist's rendering of the East Campus Plant Growth Facility.
The Interdisciplinary Plant Group (IPG) at the University of Missouri is recognized as one of the top plant research and training programs in the United States. In May 2008, a Blue Ribbon Team of scientists concluded that, “using any metric of success, the IPG is an exceptional program of research excellence.”
While MU Plant Sciences has had many successes, the current plant growth facilities were beyond capacity and were inadequate to support modern, innovative research - limiting the research programs ability to expand, as well as attract and retain faculty and students. With improved facilities, the discovery process will be dramatically expanded while enhancing external funding, faculty/student recruitment and retention.
For more information:
Plant Growth Chambers
www.plantgrowthchambers.com