One of the key advantages of using the BMS is that it facilitates the unique identification of germplasm and pedigree tracking. To start using the BMS, however, lists of current germplasm from your breeding program should be entered into the database. These lists are ideally imported with complete pedigrees. However, for this exercise, we will consider the simple import of existing lists without pedigrees.
Once germplasm are imported into the database it is often necessary to make lists of germplasm for different purposes such as planting, shipment, and testing. These germplasm lists are created by selecting entries from previous lists and adding the imported lines. Other new lists are made from harvest actions from nurseries and trials.

Objectives

At the end of this chapter, the user should be able to:

1. Complete a template with germplasm names to be imported.

2. Import germplasm into the database from a template (without pedigrees).

3. Add inventory for imported germplasm

4. Select lines from an existing list and add them to a new list of germplasm.

 

Importing a list of germplasm from a template file.

Creating a basic germplasm list in Excel
Lists of germplasm can be entered into the system using an Excel file. This file must follow a specific format so a template has been provided. Users with appropriate permission will see the action Import Germplasm on the ACTIONS menu of the Germplasm Manager main menu. If you click on this item you will see that you can download a template.

 

 

 
The template has two sheets, an observation sheet where the germplasm details are supplied and a Codes sheet where some metadata codes are available.
Use Excel to modify the germplasm import template and create a file with the following format and minimum content.
The Observation sheet has a number of proposed columns covering all the characteristics of a germplasm record, but the minimum data required is just a consecutive entry number and a germplasm name. There are still more columns beyond column I which we will ignore for now.
A minimum entry would look as follows:

Fill the first two columns of a template file exactly as shown in the image above and save it as <Your Initials>21GI.xls (CGM21GI.xls for me). The correct germplasm names are given below. Notice the typo in Entry 15 – include that in your file.

To save typing you may be able to copy the names from the above table.
Once the template is completed select Import Germplasm form from the Actions Menu of the Germplasm Manager again and browse for the file just created.

Click Open.

Then click Next.

The Specify Germplasm Details form appears. This form allows you to specify some germplasm information such as the breeding method, the germplasm location, the creation date, and the preferred name type. These details can also be specified on the Germplasm Import Template, and this allows them to be different for every entry. If they are specified on the Germplasm Details form then the values specified there are used for all cases where they are not specified on the template.
For this exercise, we will specify all the items on the form, and leave all the columns for those items blank on the template. On the form:

1.  

   1. The first item is the method by which the lines were produced in their last generation. Set this to Unknown derivative method by starting to type "unknown " in the box and selecting the result. You will need to uncheck the Show only favorites button.

   2. The second is the location where the germplasm was obtained or harvested, start to type "Int Rice " and select International Rice Research Institute. You will need to uncheck the Show only favorites button.

   3. The third is a date that the germplasm was harvested or acquired which you can set to today's date.

   4. And finally you can enter a text which will be stored as a reference for the germplasm.

   5. You will see what columns have been found for alternative names and attributes attributes, in the default case just Derivative name and Notes, but you cannot set values for these on the Basic Details form, they must be supplied via the template.