Digitalization of potato breeding program: Improving data collection and management.

Area of Science:

• Plant Breeding
• Agricultural Informatics
• Data Management

Background:

• Traditional plant breeding data management is decentralized, scattered across file systems, leading to inconvenience and data loss.
• Manual data transcription in spreadsheets causes errors in nomenclature and typing, impacting analysis and selection decisions.
• Current data administration demands substantial resources for nurseries, trials, germplasm, and pedigree records.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review available data recording tools and breeding data management software.
• To highlight the importance of accurate data management in improving plant breeding program efficiency.
• To focus on potato breeding data management solutions.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of information on existing data recording tools.
• Review of breeding data management software.
• Emphasis on informatics applications and computer-based databases.

Main Results:

• Digital data management tools enhance data quality, enabling the inclusion of diverse data types like images and voice recordings.
• Computer-based systems simplify breeders' tasks and improve data accessibility.
• Public breeding programs lag behind industry adoption of advanced data management software.

Conclusions:

• Accurate data recording and management tools are crucial for enhancing plant breeding program efficiency.
• Digital solutions offer significant advantages over traditional, scattered data management methods.
• Adoption of modern data management software is recommended for public breeding programs, particularly in potato breeding.