NTEP‐DB 1.0: A relational database for the national turfgrass evaluation program

Abstract

Given field experiment data collected by the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP), we aim to design and create a relational database to store the data and support efficient queries. As one of the most widely-known turfgrass research programs in the world, NTEP has generated large volumes of data on turfgrass cultivars and experimental germplasm since the early 1980s, providing invaluable information for a variety of user groups (e.g., homeowners, seed companies, golf course managers, retailers, turfgrass researchers) to select cultivars that best fit their needs (e.g., winter survival, pest tolerance, turf quality). The datasets have historically been stored in large sets of text files and spreadsheets. Currently, NTEP data are delivered to users through a website (www.ntep.org) as summary reports and it can be extremely tedious (e.g., hundreds of clicks, data merging, jargon) to perform a simple query (e.g., best cultivar selection with typical conditions). This significantly limits the use of NTEP data and hides its value from the public. To address these limitations, we carried out an interdisciplinary effort with horticulture and computer science researchers to design and create the first NTEP database -NTEP-DB 1.0 -to reduce the manual efforts and expert knowledge currently required to extract meaningful information from the data. Experiments confirm that the query results are correct, and that the database can greatly reduce manual efforts. Anticipating next-generation advances, we also recommend incorporating spatial data types and analytical techniques into future designs of the database.

Strategies for reducing inputs and emissions in turfgrass systems

“…Pairing advanced genetics with host‐plant resistance conferred by endophytes should also result in improved abiotic and biotic stress resistance. Since the 1970s, the NTEP, a nonprofit organization, has been instrumental in facilitating and evaluating experimental and commercial turfgrasses for the turfgrass seed and sod industries in cooperation with university turfgrass scientists in the United States and Canada (Xie et al., 2022). The uniform evaluation trials of turfgrass cultivars developed and coordinated by NTEP help national companies, plant breeders, extension specialists, and turf practitioners determine if a cultivar is well‐adapted to a local area or level of turf maintenance (Yue et al., 2019).…”

“…Turfgrass practitioners should carefully consider turfgrass species and cultivar selection in combination with sustainable management practices to help mitigate the effects of climate change and increase beneficial ecosystem services. The recent development of a new NTEP relational database to support quick access to this data should further aid turf professionals (Xie et al., 2022).…”

An Improved User Interface to Identify Sustainable Turfgrasses within National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Data

“…To address the access issues with NTEP data, a 2017 USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) grant to improve low input grasses (USDA, 2012) funded the development of a relational database structure (Xie, et al, 2021). Subsequently, NTEP fineleaf fescue ( Festuca spp .)…”

A latent scale model to minimize subjectivity in the analysis of visual rating data for the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program

“…The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) is an internationally renowned turfgrass research program. Starting from 1981, NTEP has coordinated trials and collected data on a variety of turfgrass species at locations across the United States and Canada ( Xie et al., 2022 ). At each testing location, replicated turf plots of different cultivars are established, maintained, and visually evaluated by trained raters periodically on various traits of interest.…”