Crop Information Engine and Research Assistant (CIERA) for managing genealogy, phenotypic and genotypic data for breeding programs.

Background With the advent of next-generation marker platforms and phenomics in crop breeding programs, the volume of both the genotypic and phenotypic data produced has increased exponentially. Often the data remain underutilized if not properly collated, managed and accessed. Effective management of the data is paramount to making sound and timely decision on cross planning in order to accelerate genetic gain (ΔG) in crops for disease resistance, agronomic and end-use quality traits.

Results To address the challenges in managing and efficient utilization of the sheer volume of data generated in a crop breeding program, we developed an electronic information system called the Crop Information Engine and Research Assistant (CIERA). The CIERA, written in Visual Basic, runs on the Microsoft Windows operating system and requires the .Net Framework 4.7 as well as the MySQL Community Server 5.7. The highly intuitive graphical user interface of CIERA includes user-friendly query tools to facilitate the collation of data across relevant phenotypic environments from its phenotypic data management database and can combine that information with the genealogy and genetic data from its genealogy management and genetic data management databases, respectively.

Conclusions Using CIERA, breeders can build a comprehensive profile of germplasm, within a few minutes, to assist them in planning crosses for enhancing genetic gain by selecting superior lines for crosses.