Protocols

A predefined set of instructions for field management that are specified during experiment creation. A user can specify an experiment's planting, trait, management, pollination, and harvest protocols.

Planting Protocols

These protocols define how the plots will be prepared for planting. Users can specify the crop establishment, planting type, and plot type. Common plot types (e.g. Transplanted 1 Row x 25 Hills) have predefined plot values used to compute the plot area. However, users can still define their own plot type and values.

Trait Protocols

Traits refer to data collected (e.g. phenotypic, agronomic) by users. These can be specified individually or as a trait protocol set can be defined by the user and used repeatedly in experiments. Additional instructions for the collection of each trait may also be provided.

Management Protocols

Management attributes refer to the data and tasks performed to manage the field. An attribute may refer to the same task/item (e.g. Fertilizer 1) but records different aspects of it (e.g. type, date of application, amount). These can be specified individually or a management protocol set can be defined by the user and used repeatedly in experiments. Additional instructions for the collection of each attribute may also be provided.

Pollination Protocols

Pollination protocols can only be specified for Intentional Crossing Nursery and Cross Parent Nursery experiments. This is where a user can provide specific instructions relating to the cross activity of their entries.

Harvest Protocols

A harvest protocol can be set ahead of time if the method of harvest is already known. During the harvest itself, users have the option to use the predefined harvest protocols or to replace them.