Prof. Dr. Ir. Leo Marcelis

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Chair (and Full Professor) of Horticulture and Product Physiology, Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands

Prof. Dr. Ir. Leo Marcelis is a full professor and chairholder of the Horticulture and Product Physiology group at Wageningen University & Research. He is an internationally recognised authority in greenhouse horticulture and vertical farming, known for bridging fundamental plant physiology with innovative cultivation strategies.

His research focuses on understanding and optimising the physiology, growth, production, and quality of vegetables and ornamental crops. A central theme in his work is the interaction between plants and their abiotic environment, including light, CO₂, water, and nutrients. He has made significant contributions to improving resource-use efficiency in horticultural systems, particularly in the context of energy and water management.

Prof. Marcelis is widely known for his pioneering research on LED lighting and its effects on plant growth, yield, and product quality. His group also advances precision horticulture through the integration of sensors, modelling, and data-driven approaches. With an extensive publication record and several influential books, his research provides a strong scientific foundation for sustainable, high-quality production in modern horticulture.

Keynote Lecture:
Latest Technological Developments in Greenhouse Horticulture

He will present an integrative overview of recent technological advances shaping modern greenhouse horticulture. His keynote will highlight innovations in lighting, climate control, resource-use efficiency, sensor technologies, and data-driven cultivation, illustrating how these developments are transforming greenhouse production systems and supporting more sustainable, high-quality crop production.