Manage Trials

BMS 7.0-8.0 Manual

  • Germplasm
  • Environments
  • Generate Experimental Design
  • Measurements
  • Advance Trial
  • Start Trial

    • Start a new trial or browse for existing trial.

    Basic Details

    Trial name and description are required before a trial can be saved.

    Save

    Select Save and specify the file directory where the trial will be stored in the database.

    Template

    Check the box to 'Use a previously created trial as a template'. Choose any previously created trial from the directory. 

    Once saved, Settings, Environments, and Traits from the previously created trial now populate the new trial.

    Settings & Selections

    Meta-data about the trial can be entered in trial settings. Some setting have pull-down menu options and others allow for free text entry. Some settings are user and program details and others are defined in the crop ontology.

    The option to add within plot selection units is also available. For example, a maize breeder may want to select ears from high yielding trial plots for eventual seed increase. See more on advancing trial germplasm. 

    Add

    Select Add to select trial settings and selections. Settings and selection units can be established or modified using the ontology manager.

    Remove

    Remove settings and selections. by checking the box and selecting Remove.

    Germplasm

    Browse for and upload germplasm list.

    Environments

    Multiple environments can be specified for a trial (locations and/or seasons). Select Add to select environment details and trial conditions from the crop ontology. New details can be added or modified using the ontology manager. If favorite locations have been specified, checking the Show Favorite Location box will narrow the location options to those relevant to your breeding program.

    Select Manage Location to customize the programs favorite location list. Depending on user permissions, the Add a New Location button may or may not be available to you. (See more on permissions and location management under Manage Program Settings.)

    Generate Experimental Design

    The BMS supports the randomization of 4 experimental designs. After design parameters, like number of replications, are specified, the randomized trial can be generated.

    • Randomized Complete Block
    • Resolvable Incomplete Block
    • Row-and-Column
    • Augmented Randomized Block

    Design Engine License

    The experimental design engine uses ASreml, a proprietary element of the BMS. When you run a design the system checks the license via internet. If you experience an error message about a missing license, please contact your system administrator.

    Import Experimental Design

    After specifying the trial germplasm, import a custom trial design file (.csv). Randomizations created outside of the BMS may not be supported by BMS statistical analyzes, but users have the flexibility to use external statistics applications if desired. 

    • Export Design Template.

    The exported design template (.csv) contains the 3 mandatory column headings

    • TRIAL_INSTANCE: Number corresponding to specific trial environments, like a particular location or season.
    • ENTRY_NO: Number corresponding to specific germplasm. The number of entries in the trial design file must equal the number of entries in the trial germplasm list.
    • PLOT_NO: Plot number

    • Edit the design template. Some experimental designs will require the addition of other optional columns.

    • Select Import an Experimental Design.

    • Specify the design file and Continue.

    Ontology terms in the design file that are identical to the ontology will map perfectly.  If the column headers are spelled differently, the system will attempt to map to match the existing ontology. You may be required to Re-map and/or add new ontology terms to achieve correct mapping.

    Review imported design details and select Finish.

    The trial design now populates the measurements table. Notice that the measurements table is paginated by trial environment. 

    Measurements

    Once the experimental design has been generated or imported, the Measurements tab is populated with independent trial variables.

    Unique Plot ID

    The column of unique plot IDs is hidden by default. You can add this column of data by selecting the dotted rectangle and selecting PLOT_ID.

    PLOT_ID is an alphanumeric sequence designed for data capture that uniquely identifies the plot.

    Add Traits

    • Select the Add button to specify traits to measure, or the dependent variables.Type a word or part of a word that describes the trait that will be measured. If the desired trait cannot be found, the new trait must be added to the crop ontology.

    Once selected the trait of interest will appear as an empty column of data in the measurements table.

    Once saved, the trial is available for many other activities.

    Export Data Collection File 

    Same as described in Manage Nurseries

    Import Data Collection File with Measurements

    Same as described in Manage Nurseries

    Advance Trial

    Advance offspring from trial germplasm.

    • Select Advance Trials from the Actions menu.

    • Specify the trial locations to advance.

    • Select the breeding method. Either choose a selection unit or the number of lines per plot. Select Finish.

    • Review the advances lines and Finish.

    • Save the advance list of germplasm.