Keeping records

This course is primarily concerned with science, not management. However, it is worth remembering that you are part of a community of scientists, who all play a part in a chain of processes in which genebanks receive and store germplasm, and make sure it is available as part of the global system of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), to be used by breeders to develop new varieties.

At every stage, information is added about the accession. For instance, when you carry out characterization or viability testing, and record your results, other scientists will be able to benefit from the knowledge you have generated. Figure 3 (below) shows the central role a data management system plays in the flow of germplasm and associated information through a genebank.

The diagram shows the central role of data management to the effectiveness of a genebank’s workflow. The workflow sequence begins with collection of samples and continues through post-entry quarantine, accessioning, conservation, regeneration, characterisation and distribution. Each of these stages is both recorded and supported by the genebank’s data management system.
Figure 3: where data comes from

Look at Figure 3 and identify which processes you are involved with in your work. What information do those upstream of you in the process give you about the seeds they pass on to you? Now consider what information scientists further downstream would find useful, alongside the PGRFA you supply them with.

Data management can be overlooked in some national genebanks where resources are scarce, but this interdependency of genebank operations means that a robust information system is crucial. If you would like to find out more about data management, a new CGIAR course is being developed on this topic.

Activity 3: Useful data

Allow five minutes for this activity.

Every genebank process generates useful data. Use the note-writing box below to reflect on what kind of information it would be useful to record from a process such as collection, characterization, viability testing, regeneration or storage.

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Once you have thought about it yourself, click on 'reveal' below to show our suggestions:

Discussion

Process Data

Collecting in situ

Donor or origin

Taxonomy                

Habitat

Status

Passport data

  

Characterization

Trait information

Germination behavior

  

Viability testing

Viability tests used

Results

Seeds used

  

Multiplication and regeneration

Seed quantity

Cultivation

Location

Dates

  

Medium term storage

Location

Quantity

Recipient(s)

Seeds sent

  

The Seed Information Database

My genebank and me