Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
produced all field maps, genotype lists, seed packet
labels and score topics by hand. Even in cases where
highly methodical and dedicated staff are used there are
inevitable transcription error, which occur when hand
writing and more importantly it is time consuming.
Computer systems can easily be used for:
to disc) at a later stage. This form of data collection and
entry may appear inefficient compared to more direct
systems (below). However, there are one or two advan-
tages of hand recording and later entry. There is always
a hard copy of the information collected that can be
referred to at a later date. Hand recording of visually
assessed data can often be achieved quickly compared
to other means (although the data still needs to be typed
later). Therefore a combination of experienced assessor
and experienced typist/data recorder may be as quick
and efficient as directly logging data.
Information can be
logged
directly into a computer
system. Data logging can be of two forms:
•
Printing field plot plans (mentioned above)
•
Printing a variety of labels that can be used to organize
experiments, store seed or planting material or har-
vest experiments (Figure 9.8). Organization of large
randomized experiments can be achieved with ease if
computer labels are printed with the genotype iden-
tifier along with a field position (e.g. either a plot
number or a two-dimensional array number)
Information in entered into a hand held data logger
•
Information is transferred direct from an analogue/
digital machine (e.g. electronic balance or moisture
meter).
Printing score topics, which show simply a number of
boxes in which data, can be handwritten for a number
of traits
•
•
Genotype lists of lines, which have attributes in
common (e.g. all bread quality wheat, all industrial
rapeseed etc.)
•
In each case, the data are usually later transferred to
the main computer system. Data validation (e.g. are the
numbers reasonable or within a certain range) can often
be achieved during, or as a part of, the transfer opera-
tion. Alternatively, data may be validated or checked as
entered into a hand held unit.
Automatic transfer of data from analytical machinery
is always an advantage as it reduces time and effort to
achieve results. More important, however, is that this
form of data collection usually avoids any additional
transcription errors (e.g. writing down or hand typing
the wrong number).
Hand held data loggers are rapidly becoming smaller
and more sophisticated. However, it can often take
longer to enter data (particularly alpha/numeric char-
acter information) into a handheld unit than to simply
write the information. In addition, some expertise is
required in the use of handheld units, particularly accu-
rate typing skills. Finally, if data are collected in a
handheld data logger it is always best to have some
form of hard copy printout of the data as recorded.
This would indeed apply to any data recording.
Data summary tabulations of information stored in
the database
•
•
Keeping track of exactly where each test entry is
(e.g. what stage of the breeding scheme, what sites
each entry is evaluated, exactly where in the field can
each test line be found)
Data collection
A breeding scheme is only as effective as the information
collected on how the different genetic lines perform.
The breeder must collect data on performance of dif-
ferent traits from appropriate assessment trials. Data
collection and data management are areas, which have
received very little attention in a plant breeding context.
However the significance of the information-gathering
stage is of great importance.
Data management is of three types:
•
Collection of information into a form suitable for
computer entry
•
Validation of data to ensure that errors can be
corrected before data analysis
Data analysis
One primary consideration for the analysis of assess-
ment trials is the ease and speed of processing. Often
the most important traits (e.g. yield and quality) are not
recorded until late in the season. A rapid throughput
of analysis can therefore be critical to allow selection
•
Sorting data into a form suitable for entry either into
analytical software or for storage on a database
Data collected from experiments can be hand
recorded onto score sheets and then entered (i.e. key
