Toward a standardization of Protocols and Trait Collection- Supported by The University of Reading (UoR)

Via partner consultations, and especially with the support of The University of Reading (UoR), the CFCE-CC team produced a rationalized list of traits, together with a list of specific equipment for standard measurement. This is extremely useful to help ensure standardization and consistency of terminology in any future work. Most of the traits can be measured using a simple ‘low tech’ method, requiring basic equipment, a few traits can only be measured with more sophisticated ‘higher tech’ equipment, and other traits, such as the example below can be measured using either a high-tech or a low-tech approach.

The protocols reference table is organised as follows:

i) trait category (growth/ morphological, yield component or physiological)

ii) trait label description

iii) materials/equipment needed

iv) bibliographical references to consult the specific measurement protocol(s)

v) associated abiotic stress response. 

The following table in an example of the information provided to study Trait Protocols within the project. Click here to find the list of all traits. 

Once the traits list had been agreed, led by the principal project investigator along with The University of Reading (UoR), the literature was searched, and stakeholders consulted to  locate the most up-to-date method(s) used to measure each of the traits listed. Literature references are in the same document.