The Greenhouses & Phytochambers Unit (GPU) is one of the Plant Technology Center's (PTC) operational units, offering comprehensive infrastructure for plant science experiments under controlled environmental conditions. With 5,300 m² of greenhouse space, 8 separate greenhouse compartments, 10 walk-in phyto-chambers, 3 vernalization chambers, and 1.2 hectares of open-field plots, the GPU provides researchers with exceptional experimental flexibility. The state-of-the-art TUMmesa ecotron further expands our capacity to support plant research under controlled conditions. Many of the GPU’s facilities are also approved for work with genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The GPU supports a wide range of research topics—from fundamental studies in molecular biology, plant physiology, and ecology to applied projects focused on fertilization strategies, climate-resilient crops, robotics, and energy systems.
Greenhouses in Year-Round Operation
2,500 m² of our greenhouse facilities can be operated year-round, including our most advanced research greenhouse with 500 m² of space divided into compartments of various sizes. All compartments are equipped with automated climate and irrigation systems. Optional lighting is provided by metal halide lamps, yielding an additional 250 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in the photosynthetically active spectrum. This state-of-the-art facility offers optimal year-round conditions for cutting-edge plant research and cultivation.
Greenhouses for Seasonal Use
For applied research projects, we offer professional horticultural greenhouses in various sizes, equipped with automated climate control and irrigation systems (including gutter-based cultivation systems). These facilities are ideal for time-limited projects and provide optimal conditions to support your research.
Greenhouse Cabinets
We offer eight climate-controlled greenhouse compartments (4 × 4 × 2.2 meters). Each cabinet is equipped with an automatic irrigation system, with options for ebb/flow-irrigation or drip irrigation. For customized lighting, you can choose between dimmable LED lamps, metal halide lamps, or high-pressure sodium lamps.
Walk-in Chambers
Our facility includes walk-in climate chambers (W x D x H: 2.4 × 2.0 × 1.9 m) that allow precise control of temperature, humidity, and lighting.
| Quantity | Temperature Range | relative Humidity | Lighting |
|---|---|---|---|
4 | 5 – 30 °C | 40 - 90 % *) | LED, 3 channels |
4 | 8 – 25 °C | 40 - 90 % *) | LED |
2 | -5 – 20 °C | 60 - 90 % **) | LED |
*) from 15 °C **) from 13 °C
In addition, three walk-in chambers are available for vernalization (W × D × H: 2.4 × 2.4 × 1.9 m). These are equipped with LED lighting and can maintain constant temperatures between 3 and 5 °C.
Vegetation Hall
Our outdoor area includes a covered vegetation hall with 400 m² of ground space and 72 m² of bench space. This facility offers an ideal environment for plant cultivation by providing protection from birds, wildlife, and adverse weather conditions such as rain and storms – while still maintaining natural outdoor conditions.
Cold Frames and Open-Field Plots
Our facility includes both cold frames and open-field plots. The cold frames cover 330 m² and can be equipped with either natural soil or gravel. In addition, we offer smaller open-field plots totaling 12,400 m², ideal for cultivating a wide range of plant species under natural outdoor conditions.
Your Experiment at the GPU – from Idea to Project
We are dedicated to providing TUM researchers and their partners with easy and reliable access to our facilities. Our interdisciplinary team of scientists, technicians, and horticultural specialists is available to support you – whether you need advice on project planning, technical implementation, or scientific support. We’ll help you find the right setup within the PTC’s diverse infrastructure to meet your experimental needs.
Your Project Request
After the initial contact and consultation with our dedicated staff, an official registration (project request) is required in order to use GPU facilities. Project requests can be submitted at any time but must allow for an organizational lead time of 14 days.
Please submit your request directly to ghl[at]ls.tum.de. It will be promptly reviewed by the GPU leadership team and assigned to a supervising horticulturist. You will then receive formal approval, and the assigned specialist will contact you to coordinate the next steps.
Please note that an official registration is also required for any follow-up experiments.
You may cancel your registration free of charge before the officially requested project start date by contacting us at ghl[at]ls.tum.de.
If you need to postpone or extend the planned experiment duration, please inform your assigned head horticulturist so that we can adjust our space and personnel planning accordingly.
You can find the corresponding registration form and further information here.
We look forward to supporting your research project and are happy to answer any additional questions you may have.
Information on project requests for the TUMmesa Ecotron is available here.
We take care of your plants – so you can focus on your research
Daily plant care and the smooth operation of all technical systems are managed by three horticulture teams, each led by a certified head horticulturist, as well as a dedicated technical team. Our trained staff prioritize preventive use of beneficial organisms, but also handle chemical plant protection—from obtaining special permits to applying treatments.
With sufficient advance notice, we can also provide standard cultivation supplies such as pots, substrates, fertilizers, labels, and other consumables from our inventory.
Keeping research affordable – we only charge for what we need to purchase
For researchers at public institutions, the GPU’s service package includes access to technical infrastructure, scientific consultation, horticultural support, and standard consumables. These include pots, substrates, fertilizers, plant protection products, beneficial organisms, labels, and other materials. Costs are billed semi-annually and calculated based on the area you used.
If your experiment requires custom equipment or special substrates, containers, or other materials, you are responsible for procurement. However, our team is happy to support you in the process.
If you require an invoice at a different time, please contact us at ghl[at]ls.tum.de.
For questions related to billing of TUMmesa experiments, please get in touch with the TUMmesa team.
