SMARTtray

SMARTtray is a German agricultural technology company that provides an innovative, high-throughput system for plant breeding. The company has developed a patented end-to-end workflow that automates the cultivation, root tissue sampling, and selection processes. Their technology utilizes a specialized 96-well device and modular hardware, such as automated sampling and cultivation stations, to allow for non-destructive root sampling. This approach enables breeders to perform DNA extraction and marker-assisted selection without the need for manual handling of individual plants, thereby increasing efficiency and throughput in modern breeding programs.

By standardizing these processes, SMARTtray helps breeding companies and scientific institutions overcome the sampling bottleneck often found in large-scale plant cultivation. The system is designed to be scalable and flexible, with modular components that can be tailored to specific user needs, including seed dispensing and controlled environment cultivation. Through these tools, customers can significantly reduce the time required for breeding cycles and improve the accuracy of trait selection, ultimately making the development of new plant varieties more economical and data-driven. The company offers its technology both as an end-to-end system and as a service for research projects.