Field phenotyping conceptually can be divided in five pillars 1) traits of interest 2) sensors to measure these traits 3) positioning systems to allow high throughput measurements by the sensors 4) experimental sites and 5) environmental monitoring. In this paper we will focus on photosynthesis as trait of interest, measured by remote active fluorescence. The sensor presented is the Light Induced Fluorescence Transient (LIFT) instrument. The LIFT instrument is integrated in three positioning systems. First in an automatized rail based positioning system moving in x, y and z direction above 120 miniplots. Miniplots are large (0.8m2) soil-filled containers placed inside and outside the greenhouse. Second the sensor is mounted on a manual operated Field4cycle and third on a fully autonomously moving, engine driven, GPS steered cart, called FieldCop. Photosynthetic traits were quantified for major crop species across seasonal changes in environment, grown at elevated CO2, or at different irrigation regimes. The quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fq’/Fm’ )was light dependent whereas the electron transport rate efficiency (Fr2’/Fm’) was temperature dependent. Mean values of these photosynthetic traits or their interaction with environment allowed for characterization of different phenotypes. The LIFT instrument combined with selected positioning system provides high throughput proximal sensing of novel photosynthetic traits.