Automated gravimetric screening platform system and method

An automated gravimetric screening system (10) and method controls soil moisture in a plurality of potted plants (16) to perform water deficit experiments in a greenhouse using a stationary support platform (12) and pot design that maintains the plants in a static location during the 5 testing. By weighing and re-watering the pots from beneath the platform, the present system and method permits an upper gantry (22) to capture high resolution images, temperature data, or other sensor data to quantify the plant stress level or plant canopy characteristics during the experiment.