Transforming the Future of Agriculture with Innovative Solutions in Protected Cropping

PC HUB connects researchers, industry partners, and research students to drive innovation in protected cropping.

About PC HUB

Research to Drive Innovation in Protected Cropping

The ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Protected Cropping (PC Hub) is a research hub based at La Trobe University, dedicated to transforming the future of agriculture with innovative solutions in protected cropping.

We bring together researchers, industry partners, and PhD students to address critical knowledge gaps to unlock the full potential of PC systems.

Through cutting-edge research and industry collaboration, we drive transformation in Australia’s horticultural and medicinal agriculture industries by advancing protected cropping (PC) and improving sustainability, crop quality, yield, and reliability.

More about us

Our Partners

Affiliated Institute

Through collaborations with research providers and industry partners, the PC Hub is bridging knowledge and training gaps and together helping the protected cropping industry become more competitive, sustainable, and adaptable to market demands and environmental challenges.

Become a Partner

Our Research

We Conduct Cross-Disciplinary Research to Tackle Real-World Challenges in Protected Cropping (PC)

Plant Health - Nutrition, Physiology and Biosecurity

Leveraging the capabilities of controlled plant growth environments to enhance productivity and improve plant properties.

Digital Agriculture and Machine Learning

Leveraging the latest advances in AI, ML and IoT to develop new AI/ML methods to optimise the end -to-end PC system, from lab to producer to consumer.

Plant Breeding -  Rapid Candidate Gene Identification, Validation and Engineering

Implementing rapid, generalisable, species-agnostic PC approaches for identifying candidate genes controlling traits in crops of commercial value and developing PC-optimised crop cultivars.

Plant Bioactives – Mechanisms of Action

Explore how PC systems can be used to consistently grow plants and mushrooms that produce valuable bioactive compounds, natural substances with potential health, therapeutic, or commercial

Waste Valorisation -  Extraction and Processing Technologies

Developing biorefinery-based solutions that meet sustainability, industry, and regulatory requirements for a variety of crops, including those with higher compliance needs.

Cross-disciplinary Platforms: Technology, Education and Training

Bringing together diverse technologies to boost productivity, discovery and training within protected cropping systems.

Our Impact

How We’re Making a Difference

Exploring How PC HUB Drives Change Across Research, Policy, Education and the Wider Community

“By addressing challenges related to climate variability and pest management, we strive to demonstrate the tangible benefits of protected cropping to Australian growers.”