A relational database system for potato breeding programs

Using a desktop database management system (DBMS), a relational database sy stem was developed to replace outdated systems for data storage, retrieval and summary in a potato breeding research program. The new system allows fo r easy and efficient access, storage and interrelation of potato data, and automated reporting functions to support presentation and analysis requirem ents of the research program. DBMS tools and programmed functions provide s ummary information pertaining to such areas as potato plant genealogy and p rogeny performance in early selection, regional adaptation and disease resi stance trials. Database structures have been implemented to facilitate the collection and verification of new data, interface to a hand-held data coll ection computer, and transfer report data and charts to standard word proce ssing and presentation software. The concepts and techniques used in the co nstruction of this database system can be applied to other potato and plant breeding programs.