Advantages for the Use of Standardized Phenotyping in the National Plant Germplasm System

As genomic technologies progress, it becomes possible to retrieve genetic information from one species and utilize it in another.  Genomic sequence data is becoming prevalent in databases; however, associated phenotypic data is much more expensive and difficult to obtain.  It often involves multi-year, multi-location evaluation trials and comprehensive databases for information storage are not available.  Full database documentation of data collection methods and standards would enable data users to compare results and apply them to their research programs.  Existing databases provide some information, but details regarding field site locations, conditions, and methods of replication are often lacking.  Standardized ontologies for trait classification provide a mechanism by which searches can be efficiently performed.  By improving database documentation systems, the value of existing data can be determined.  Through standardization efforts, results can be compared across years, researchers, and locations.  Both genotypic and phenotypic data can then be analyzed to identify germplasm accessions of interest for improved yield, quality, and stress tolerance.