Field Book: An Open‐Source Application for Field Data Collection on Android

Abstract

Plant breeding and genetics research is an inherently data‐driven enterprise. Typical experiments and breeding nurseries can contain thousands of unique entries and programs will often evaluate tens of thousands of plots each year. To function efficiently on this scale, electronic data management becomes essential. Many research programs, however, continue to operate by scribing and transcribing massive amounts of data on paper field books. While effective, this form of data management places heavy burdens on human resources, decreases data integrity, and greatly limits future utilization of data and the ability to expand the breeding program. To help address these constraints, we have developed an open‐source application for electronic data capture that runs on consumer‐grade Android tablets. By focusing on a simple, stand‐alone application with an intuitive and customized interface, we attempt to decrease both the technological and cost barriers that hinder adoption of electronic data management in breeding programs. The simplicity of Field Book allows adoption of the technology without a steep learning curve. With low‐cost, accessible solutions, the vision of one handheld per breeder can become a reality for breeding programs around the world. Transformational capacity in electronic data collection and management will be essential to realizing a contemporary green revolution.

Exploiting Wild Relatives for Genomics-assisted Breeding of Perennial Crops

“…Thus far, HT phenotyping technologies have focused on annual crops such as rice (Tanger et al, 2017) and cotton ( Gossypium barbadense ) (Andrade-Sanchez et al, 2014), neglecting diverse perennial crops. One example of a technology useful for wild relatives is Field Book, an open-source application for collecting field data that eliminates the need to transcribe handwritten notes (Rife and Poland, 2014). As phenotyping technology for perennial crops and wild relatives improves, so will the ability to detect markers which can be exploited for genomics-assisted breeding.…”

The quest for understanding phenotypic variation via integrated approaches in the field environment

“…In order to facilitate data collection and storage, a number of software apps have been developed ranging from research-specific tools to applications for farm-and landscape-level surveys. Field Book is an example of an application developed to specifically meet the requirements of plant breeding programs where detailed data collection is necessary (Rife and Poland, 2014 …”

IPRDataCol - software for field labelling and data storage

“…Once the labels were generated and distributed in the experimental area, software for field data collection can be used, e.g., the FieldBook system (Rife and Poland 2014), developed for mobile devices, freely available for both the Android and IOS platforms (Figure 2A). In order to use the barcode reading function of the program, the file with the experiment information that will be entered in the software must contain an identification column of each plot and the same information as the barcode (LocationExperiment-Plot), so that a given plot is localized efficiently ( Figure 2B, COD field).…”

“…In this case, the use Figure 2. Field data readout screen for trait E. turcicum spot in corn, through software Fieldbook (A) (Rife and Poland 2014) where the COD field shows the same data as the barcode (Location-Experiment-Plot) of the field label (B).…”