Location: Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research
Project Number: 2090-21000-037-025-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jan 1, 2025
End Date: Dec 31, 2025
Objective:
The overall objective is to create a cost-effective high-quality method for collecting multi location trait data on diverse germplasm maintained by the National Plant Germplasm system, by engaging volunteer growers as civic scientists.
Objectives:
1. Software development to meet scientist and curator requirements for data collection and management application
2. Large scale pilot trial to test the MVP (Minimum Viable Product), where seeds are shared with volunteer growers for data collection. Trial 150 germplasm accession.
3. Data analysis to prove accuracy of the method, where generated data is checked for quality, curated and uploaded in the GRIN database for public access.
Approach:
Milestones 1: Software Development.
Cooperator will create ornamental flower trials, including working with software developers on trial design and trait data collection.
Milestones 2: Collaborative Trial Testing 150 Accessions including 50 Ornamental Accessions
Cooperator will select 50 ornamental accessions and provide bulk seed for trial and instructions on data collection, including instruction for data collection platform and a webinar with Q&A for volunteer growers.
Milestone 3: Data Analysis and Sharing
Cooperator will curate data generated by volunteer growers and integrate information into the GRIN database for public access. They will also share information on the process of crowdsourced characterizations and outcomes of the project at relevant conferences, and online.
