Entries and parents are the operational concepts used when identifying and managing the germplasm to be used in EBS experiments. The term differs depending on the nature of the experiment for which they are used.

Entry

For non-crossing experiments like Breeding Trial, Observation, and Generation Nursery, a germplasm is represented as an entry. The entries can be replicated based on the requirements of the experiment design.

Entry Type

For non-crossing experiments, the entries can be divided into tests and checks. Tests are entries being observed and measured in the experiment. On the other hand, checks are the control entries that are planted between the test entries as baselines.

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Entry Role

The entry role specifies the entry’s purpose in the experiment. While assigning an entry role is optional in EBS, this is useful when a breeder needs to assign specific roles to their check entries, for example.

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Parent

For crossing experiments like Intentional Crossing Nursery and Cross Parent Nursery, a germplasm is represented as a parent. The parents can be paired into crosses or undergo selfing.

Parent Role

Parents are assigned as female, male, or female-and-male. Parent roles can also determined based on the intended crossing method.

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Parent Type

The parent type specifies the parent’s purpose in the experiment. While assigning a parent role is optional in EBS, this is useful in identifying if a parent is a donor or receiver, for example.

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Plot

When the entries are planted in the field and used in various breeding activities, they are represented as plots. Replicated entries in a trial experiment are also counted as plots. In EBS, the planting coordinates and collected trait data are stored at the plot level. Each plot corresponds to a specific entry or parent and is identified by a plot code.

Here is a sample trial experiment with the entry and plot information that can be viewed in Experiment Manager, specifically in the Entry and Plot tabs.

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