• Create Sub-Observation Unit Dataset
  • Define Sub-Observation Units
    • Example Plant Sub-Sampling
    • Example Custom Sub-Sampling
• Export Sub-Observation Dataset

Create Sub-Observation Unit Dataset

Once the observation table for data collection at the plot level has been established, you are able to create additional data collection tables for repeated measures (sub-observations units).

Common repeated measures include:

• Measure individual plants within a plot
• Measure different quadrats within a plot
• Measure the same trait at multiple time points

• Create sub-observation units to take repeated measures.

Define Sub-Observation Units

Example Plant Sub-Sampling

In the following example, a maize breeder is planning to measure the height of 5 plants per plot at maturity.

• Select Plants as the sub-observation units.

• Give the sub-observation data set a unique name. Specify 5 plants per plot. Leave PLANT_NO as the default numbering variable. Choose to sub-sample both study locations and Save.

• Select Add to add plant level trait details.

Each plot now contains 5 rows corresponding to 5 plants per plot.

• Select the trait plant height. The Plants dataset is now ready to accept 5 height measurements corresponding to 5 plants per plot.

Example Custom Sub-Sampling

In the following example, a maize breeder is planning to gather ears of interest from experimental plots to take ear-specific measurements. The breeder doesn't know in advance how may ears will be collected, but expects to collect no more than 7 per plot.

• 'Ears' is not a default sub-sampling option. Select the Custom option and Continue.

• Give the sub-observation data set a unique name.
• Specify 7 ears as the maximum collected per plot.
• Choose a numbering variable. In this case, Obs_NO. Note: custom sub-observations units will not have a corresponding numbering variable until you create one (see details in blue info box below).
• Choose to sub-sample both study locations.
• Save.

The observation unit variable, Obs_NO, provides a generic way to number any observation. Alternatively a more specific term, like EAR_NO, could be created via Manage Ontologies.

• The Ears dataset is now ready to accept 7 ear measurements per plot. Add ear traits to the dataset and Save.

Export Sub-Observation Dataset

• Select Export study book.

• Choose the the sub-observation dataset.

• Export the studybook as a .csv file. When multiple locations are selected the .csv files are exported as a zip file that must be unzipped to reveal contents.

• The .csv file is ready for data entry.
  Note: OBS_UNIT_ID is a unique observation id suitable for barcode labeling of individual sub-samples.