There are various tools used by breeding programs in the seeding and harvest seasons. Creating randomizations, field plans for yield trials and disease nurseries, along with seeding and harvest labels for samples are all annual events associated with Breeding programs. The following tools are based on the tools used by the wheat breeding programs at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre (SCRDC).

Experimental Design Tool

This tool creates randomizations for Random Complete Block (RCB), Lattice and Split Plot experimental designs.

Preparation

Prepare an input file, which is just a list of entries (with entrycodes), followed by a list of the locations. Note: if you have multiple lines with the same name (i.e. checks), please ensure the entrycode is different for each one (e.g. Check1 Strongfield, Check2 Strongfield).

Save the file as "{test name}.inp"

Input file example

Or, alternatively, you can use a J-file:

Random Complete Block (RCB) Randomization

Random complete blocks experimental design randomizes PLOTS within REPS.

1) From the RCB Experimental Design screen, click on one of either Read Input File or Read J-File to load the lines and locations. You should see the information about the test appear in the text boxes.
2) Fill in the No. of reps for each location in the REP text boxes beside each location, along with the Abbreviations for each location (e.g. SC for Swift Current).

RCB experimental design screen
3) Press Randomize to create the files. They will appear in the same folder as your input file or j-file. The following files are generated (note the "xx" will be the last two digits of the year):
1. {test name}.Jxx (same as .inp file, but with test metadata added)
2. {test name}.Rxx (randomization file, with rep and plot numbers added)
3. {test name}.xlsx (excel file of the randomization)
There will be one master file of all locations included, along with one file for each location individually.

Lattice Randomization

Lattice experimental designs randomize PLOTS within BLOCKS within REPS.

1) From Lattice Experimental Design screen, click on one of either Read Input File or Read J-File to load lines and locations. You should see the information appear in the text boxes.
2) Fill in any missing text boxes, and Location Abbreviations.
3) Press Create Randomization Files to create the files. They will appear in the same folder as the input or J-file that was read in. The following files are generated (note the "xx" will be the last two digits of the year.
1. {test name}.Jxx (same as the .inp file, but with test metadata added)
2. {test name}.Rxx (randomization file, with rep and plot numbers added)
3. {test name}.xlsx (excel file of the randomization)
There will be one master file of all locations included, along with one file for each location individually.

Field Plans

CIERA can assist users in creating field maps from card files (.Cxx), created by the Experimental Design Tool. There are various field plans that can be created.

4-Row Field Plans

Create a map for a 4 row field plan, using the card file (.Cxx) created by the Experimental Design Tool.

Create a New Layout

Steps

1) Enter the number of ranges and passes for the fields in the text boxes. The default is 12 ranges and 24 passes.
2) Choose whether you want a Cartesian (left to right) or Serpintine map.
3) Check Print plot and code to plan to include the Entrycode to the map. Leave unchecked to just include the plot number.
4) Check Map square over number of ranges to ensure the map is square on the field. However, this feature does not work if the number of lines in the test do not make a perfect square.
5) Click Create a new Layout to see the empty layout in the grid below.

4-Row Field Maps - new layout

6) To map a border of fill in the map, enter the name of the fill in Enter text for border (i.e. "WW" for Winter Wheat).
7) Enter the number of ranges you would like the border to cover.
8) Select the cell in the grid below of where you would like to start mapping the border. Each pass is represented by 3 rows in the grid, so select a cell in the row that has "<-" or "->" in column A, and click Map Border (W.W.)

4-Row Field Maps - map border
9) To map the card file (.Cxx), created by the Experiment Design Tool to your layout, click Browse and find the file.
10) The number of plots will automatically populate in the "# of plots" text box, as well as the "Enter first plot #" and "Enter last plot #" text boxes.
11) In the Number of Ranges text box, the default is 12 ranges, but you can change this.
12) Select the cell of the plot you wish to start mapping to in the grid. Again, look for the cell where there is a "<-" or "->" in column A.
13) Click Map file input

4-Row Field Maps - map card file to grid
13) You can map multiple card files to the map by re-doing steps 9-13.
14) When you are done making changes, click on Save As (.fxx, xlsx) to create your map file and excel map.

Options

1) Load Existing .f file - click to find an existing map file and load it into the grid
2) Clear Map - remove all information from the current grid
3) Clear Selection - remove all information from selected cells in the grid
4) Undo Last Map - revert to grid prior to clicking Map file input

Field 17 Map

Creates field plans for Field 17 (Increase plots)

CIERA Tools - Field 17 mapping tool

Steps

1) Click Select Input File to select a text Card file (.Cxx), generated by the Experimental Design Tool, or a text file with a sequential listing of codes and line names. 2) Each entry is assigned an increase number as it is mapped.
2) Click Insert Checks to insert check name boxes on the map.
3) Checks and Cartesian tests must be mapped before serpentine increases, which will wrap around anything already mapped.
4) As each test is mapped, the user is prompted to choose a color for map formatting.
5)

FHB Nursery Tool

CIERA will create custom FHB Nursery card files (.Cxx) and maps (.Fxx) (.docx) for the growing season.

Steps

1) Create an input file (.txt), which is just a list of the lines in the nursery (no header).
2) Create a check file (.txt), which is just a list of the checks to be used in the nursery (no header).
3) Select an input file by clicking on the BROWSE button under "Select an input file (.txt)"

FHB Nursery Tool - select input file
4) Click on a radio button to select the desired set of field checks to be inserted for the nursery. If setting up a nursery for Carman (CWAD only), choose "CWAD (no map). CWAD checks will be inserted but only output a card file (no maps generated).
5) Click on BROWSE under the "Load check entries from text file:" and choose your check file you created in step 1. The list of checks from the file should show up in the text box. You can edit this, as needed.

FHB Nursery Tool - select check file
6) When each section is complete, the Create Files button should be enabled. Click on it and provide output file names to create your FHB nursery files.

Notes:

Hexaploid nurseries are mapped with 100 plot/slide, with alternating spreader/checks in column 1 of the map. CWAD nurseries are mapped with 120 plots/slide with no spreaders.
Hexaploid checks are inserted every 200 plots starting at plot #101. With the CWRS set, Carberry replaces the 4th check every other set starting at plot #501. CWAD checks are inserted every 480 plots starting with plot #1, unless CWAD (no map is the selected set of checks.

Sprouting Tool

This tool is used for entering heads sprouting data.

Sprouting Tool - main form

Steps

1) Click Open to select input file and then select the worksheet with the data (if applicable). Data from input file will appear in the grid in the lower portion of the screen. File input can be Excel (.xlsx) or text card file (.Cxx)
a) Text Card File input format:
code 1-6
line 7-23
rep 28
plot 4 characters from the right
b) Excel file input format:
A1 = test name
code = Column A
line name = Column B
rep = Column C
plot from last used column (D for RCB or E for lattice

Sprouting Tool - open an input file

2) Select Time 1 or Time 2 sprouting heads
3) Click on the numbered buttons to designate the number of Head Sprouted (HS), then type the plot number in Plot text box (or use the barcode scanner for plot # input). Press Enter to have the HS value will added the grid next to the corresponding plot number.
4) Repeat step 3 for the Sprouting Rank ("L" = low, "M" = medium, "H" = high) and enter the plot number.
5) The grid will calculate a total for each HS category (0-10). The grid tracks the total number of plots in the input file, and the number of plots that have data entered.
6) Press Ctrl_N or click No Data (Ctrl+N) to list the plot numbers with missing values.
7) When data is complete, click Save to output the data from the grid into an Excel file.

Sprouting Tool - add data

8) Press Clear at any time to reset the form and begin a new file.

Winter Nursery

The following tools are to help prepare files of selections for the winter nursery.

Winter Nursery Numbers

This tool is used to create the codes for the selections to be send to the winter nursery.

CIERA Tools - Winter Nursery Numbers

Steps

1) Enter first and last plot #
2) Enter a letter that represents the winter nursery location (i.e. C=Christchurch, L=Leeston)
3) Enter up to 5 checks to be inserted into the file
4) Click Preview to see the resulting codes
5) Click Save As to save the output to a file.

Label Tools

Harvest Labels

This tool will create 3-1/2" X 1-7/16" labels in plot order.

CIERA Tools - Harvest Labels

Steps

1) Click on Select Input File and choose the card file (.Cxx) to create labels for
Text Input Format:
* card file output from Experimental Design Tool

Excel Input Format:
* RCB:
* Test name (A1), year (B1), loc (D1)
* code (A2:A##), line (B2:B##), rep (C2:C##), plot (D2:##)
* Lattice:
* Test name (A1), year (B1), loc (E1)
* code (A2:A##), line (B2:B##), rep (C2:C##), block (D2:D##), plot (E2:E##)
2) Click on Save As to enter a path and filename for the label file (.lbl)
3) User needs to click on whether the file is a Lattice or RCB experimental design
4) The Harvest Order option, if checked, can be used if the test fits across all ranges of the land. To work, the number of plots (entries) must be divisible by the number of ranges (entered at prompt while executing)
5) Name length can be modified (default = 24)
6) The user can enter text to appear on the bottom of the label in the Special Instructions box or add text (i.e. land name) to location as read from input file
7) If Use Rep 1 only is checked, the file will only be read until a rep>1 is encountered. Use this option for creating labels for collecting winter nursery heads
8) The Bar Codes option, if checked, works on plot order only. Enter 6 for WN code number only, or 24 for code number and pedigree. The program checks the length of each line as it creates labels; line >60 are titles and the name and location are stored in memory until the next title line.
9) Label format is: Title, Location, Code/Name/Rep/Block/Plot, Barcode (if applicable) and Special Instructions

Winter Nursery Harvest Labels

Creates 3 -/2" X 1-7/16" labels in plot order for Winter Nursery harvest bags.

CIERA Tools - Winter Nursery Harvest Labels

Steps

1) Select the input file, either a card file (.Cxx) or a single-location Excel file (.xlsx).
Excel Input Format:
Test name (A1:B1)
Location (last used column; if last used column is B then Test name is A1 only)
Entrycode (column A)
Linename (column B)

2) Click on Save As to enter a path and filename for the label file (.lbl)
3) Click on Create Labels to start.
4) Program checks the length of each line as it creates labels: lines>60 are titles, location name starts in column 61, the name and location are stored in memory until the next title line.
5) Label output is: Code in the upper corners, code and pedigree in the middle left for each non-title line, and land and test name (title) read from most recent title line.

Harvest Labels Sequential

Creates 3-1/2" X 1-7/16" harvest labels. This is useful for creating labels for special nurseries at seeding, seed amounts can appear in top corners, followed by test name, nursery name and entry name.

CIERA Tools - Harvest Labels (Sequential)

Steps

1)Click Select Input Fle to choose a text card file (.Cxx) or Excel file (.xlsx) as an input file. Input file must be a sequential file.

Text card file (.Cxx):
* First line must be a title and program will only handle one title
* Name length can be modified (default = 24, max= 24)

Excel file (.xlsx):
* Name combines information from Columns A and B, separated by a single space
* Location is read from last used column of row 1 (eg. D1 for an RCB, E1 for a Lattice)
2) Click Save As to enter path and filename of output file
3) Any text in the Special Information text box will appear in top corners of label
4) Label output is:
* First line: Special Information in both corners
* Second line: Blank
* Third line: Test Name and Location
* Four line: Blank
* Fifth line: Line name

Screen Input Harvest Labels

Creates 3-1/2" X 1-7/16" harvest labels.

CIERA Tools - Screen Input Harvest Labels

Steps

1) Click on File for Output and enter the path and filename for the label file (.lbl)
2) Enter the Title of the test in the Title Line 1 and Title Line 2 text boxes
3) Enter an ID line in the Identification text box
4) Add any further information in the Additional Information text box
5) Enter the number of labels to make in # of labels to create (integer only)
6) Click Add Labels to File to add labels to the output file specified in step 1
7) Repeat steps 2-6 for each new set of harvest labels
8) Close the window when done.

Harvest Order Labels

Generates 3-1/2" X 1-7/16" harvest labels to be used on harvest bags.

CIERA Tools - Harvest Order Labels

Steps

1) Click Select Input File (.xlsx), which is the Excel output file from the Harvest Order Field Plan, which includes the range, pass, code, line name, rep, block, plot and test name for each plot on the land. Input file is read when it is selected and the Start with pass ,End With Pass, Start with range, and End with range text boxes will be filled
3) Make any changes to the text boxes to adjust the labels, opt have the labels Snaked or Peel from the radio buttons (Snaked is the defaut)
4) In the Special Instructions text box, enter any text that will appear at the bottom of the label. Test name is associated with each plot, and location is read from Input File (saved as land name during mapping)
5) Choose to save barcodes on labels, either in the format of Code # only or Code # + Name
6) Click Create Labels to create a .lbl file.
7) Label output is Title, Location, ID/rep/block/plot, special instructions

Sprouting Labels

Creates 1" x 4" labels used for collecting sprouting samples.

CIERA Tools - Sprouting Labels

Steps

1) Click Select Input File, which is either a text card file (.Cxx), or an Excel workbook.
Text Card File (.Cxx):
* Card files can have multiple locations
* Title lines are distinguished by their length (>60 characters)
* Location name starts in column 61
Excel File (.xlsx):
* Title in A1
* Year in B1
* Location in last used column of row 1 (i.e. D1 for RCB, E1 for Lattice)
* Entrycodes in column A
* Line name in column B
* Rep/Plot in C/D (RCB) or Rep/Block/Plot in C/D/E (Lattice)

2) Click Save As to enter path and filename for the output .lbl file
3) Select either RCB or Lattice as input format from radio buttons
4) Name length can be modified (default =24, max = 24)
5) Select Time One or Time Two (text will be added to test name on the first line of the label)
6) Click Create Labels to start program. It will check the length of each line as it creates labels. Lines that are >60 characters are titles and the name and location are stored in memory until the next title line. The program then writes name, rep, and plot (block as well, if lattice) for each non-title line, and test and location read from most recent title line within a programmed format.
7) Label output is: first line = test name + Time One/Time Two, second line = location, third line = code/rep/block/plot header, fourth line = code /line/rep/block/plot

Note for barcodes: Plot number is encoded, please ensure there is enough space between rep # or block # and plot #, use Experimental Design generated card files as a template.

Tyvek Increase Tags

Creates 2" x 2-1/4" paired Tyvek labels for increases.

CIERA Tools - Tyvek Increase Tags

Steps

1) Click Select Input File to choose either a text Card File (.Cxx) or an Excel file (.xlsx):
Text Card File (.Cxx):
* Title lines are distinguished by their length (>60 characters)
* Location name starts in column 61
Excel File (.xlsx):
* Title in A1
* Year in B1
* Location in C1
* Entrycodes in column A
* Line name in column B
* ID in column C. This allows for both the Co-op Designation and the variety name or originating ID to appear on the tags
2) Click Save As to enter the path and name of the output label file (.lbl)
3) The Title, Location, Year textboxes are populated from information in the input file. The user can make changes to this if they want it to look different on the labels.
4) Click Create Labels to generate the label output file (.lbl). Select a new input sheet to reset output filename and other parameters to create a new output file.
5) Label output: First line = year, Second line = testname/title, Third line = location, Fourth line = Increase # (plot #), Fifth line = first 20 characters of name

8-Across Labels - Winter Nursery

Creates 1"x1" 8-across labels for assigning plot numbers to winter nursery envelopes.

CIERA Tools - 8-Across Labels - Winter Nursery

Steps

1) Click Select Input File to choose either a text file (.txt) or an Excel file (.xlsx). Input files must have sequential Winter Nursery plot #'s and lines. Title lines are not recognized; if a title line is present it is handled as input for the first label.
Text File (.txt):
* The program reads the first 6 characters as Winter Nursery code numbers. It then checks the length of the line name and if it is too long to fit across the labels, it is split into two.
Excel File (.xlsx):
* Winter Nursery codes in column A. If there is only one column (i.e. MAS list input), it is handled as a line name and will be split over two rows (6 characters = cross#, remaining characters, max 8, = accession)
* Line names in column B
2) Click Save As to enter the path and name of the output label file (.lbl)
3) If Winter Triticale is checked, any "Winter Triticale" text encountered in the input file will be printed to the label; if not checked, then "Winter Triticale" will be omitted from the label.
4) Click Create Labels to generate the label output file (.lbl). The format of the label is: First line = Winter Nursery plot numbers, Second line = blank, Third line = cross or line name, Fourth line = pedigree (if needed), then line feed to the next set of labels.

8-Across Labels- Randomizations

Creates 1"x1" 8-across labels from randomization files (.Rxx), created from the Experimental Design Tool, or other text files.

CIERA Tools - 8-Across Labels - Randomizations

Steps

1) Click Select Input File to choose a randomization file (.Rxx), which is generated by the Experimental Design Tool. Excel files are not supported.
2) Click Save As to enter a path and filename for the output label file (.lbl)
3) Click Create Labels to generate the label file. Label output is: First line = "Plot", Second line = plot #, Third line = blank, Fourth line = code, Fifth line = line name, then line feed to the next set of labels.

8-Across Labels - Excel Input

Creates 1"x1" 8-across labels using Excel file input.

CIERA Tools - 8-Across Labels - Excel Input

Steps

1) Click Select Input File to choose an Excel input file (.xlsx), which must have at least 2 columns (code and plot). Title line is not required; if present will be handled as input and will appear on first label:
Excel Input File (.xlsx)
* Code in column A
* Line name in column B
* Plot # in last used column
3) Click Save As to enter a path and filename for the output label file (.lbl)
4) Click Create Labels to generate the label file. Label output is: First line = "Plot", Second line = plot #, Third line = blank, Fourth line = code, Fifth line = line name, then line feed to the next set of labels.

8-Across Labels - Screen Input

Creates 1"x1" 8-across labels using screen input.

CIERA Tools - 8-Across Labels - Screen Input

Steps

1) Click File for Output to enter the output label file path and filename.
2) Enter the starting plot number in Start #
3) Enter the ending plot number in End #
4) Click Create Labels to generate the label file. Label output is: First line = numbers line (8 across), Second line = blank, Third line = blank, Fourth line = Year line repeated 8 times, Fifth line = blank, Sixth line = blank.

Loop Labels - Checks

Creates 1/2"x8-3/4" Loop labels for checks. Multiple tests can be added to one output label file (.lbl)

CIERA Tools - Loop Labels - Checks

Steps

1) Click Select Input File to choose a text Card File (.Cxx), generated by the Experimental Design Tool.
2) Click Save As to enter a path and filename for the output label file (.lbl)
3) Enter *Column to search; the program then searches for non-(A,B,C,E,G,H,P:1 or 2) and prints them to an output file.
4) Click Add Labels to File to add to the output file. Subsequent files are appended to the same output file, unless changed by the user.
5) When all labels are done, click Close Output File* to properly close output label file with proper formatting.

Loop Labels - Field

Creates 1/2"x8-3/4" Loop labels for Field.

CIERA Tools - Loop Labels - Field

Steps

1) Click Select Input File to choose a text Field Plan File (.Fxx), generated by the Experimental Design Tool.
2) The User will be prompted for the number of ranges and then the field plan is loaded to the bottom section.
3) Click Save As to enter a path and filename for the output label file (.lbl)
4) User can select passes by clicking on them with a mouse, or scrolling with the up and down arrow keys. The highlighted information is what will be passed to the output label file (.lbl)
5) Click Add Labels to File to add the highlighted information as a label to the output file.
7) When all labels are done, click Close Output File to properly close output label file with proper formatting.

Loop Labels - Sequential

Creates 1/2"x8-3/4" Loop labels for Field, in sequential order.

CIERA Tools - Loop Labels - Field (Sequential)

Steps

1) Click Select Input File to choose a text Card File (.Cxx), generated by the Experimental Design Tool.
2) Remove checkmark on Print double wide if there are more than 25 characters of input as it will not fit on label (default is checked)
3) Click Save As to enter a path and filename for the output label file (.lbl)
5) Click Create Labels to generate the label file

Loop Labels - Excel Map

Creates 1/2"x8-3/4" Loop labels for Field, from excel field map.

CIERA Tools - Loop Labels - Field (Excel field map)

Steps

1) Click Select Input File to choose an Excel field map, generated by the Experimental Design Tool. Input file is read and the map is populated with the data.
2) Click Save As to enter a path and filename for the output label file (.lbl)
3) User must delete any rows/columns that contain extraneous data, as all non-blank cells in the map will generate a loop label: Click on the map grid to select a row or column. or click on an individual cell and drag or use shift to highlight cells that need to be deleted.
4) Click Delete to delete the selected rows/columns from the map.
5) User can remove the checkmark in Print double wide if the characters are more than 25, as they will not fit on the label.
6) Once editing of the map is complete, click Create Labels to create the output label file (.lbl)

Envelopes

Various programs for creating seeding/harvest/nursery envelopes. The envelopes generated are 83mm X 136mm with a 25mm gap separating the two.

Advanced Test Envelopes

Creates envelopes for the Advanced Tests in the breeding program.

Steps

1) Click Select Input File to choose a randomization file (.r), which is output from the Experimental Design program.
2) Fill in the information in the Enter Data section.
3) Click Create Envelopes to create the envelope file

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