External Experiments & Observations Template v1.5

Learn how to use the experiment & observations template to upload data into DeltaBreed.

Kristen Lind
7 steps
14 seconds

Experiments & observations can only be imported ***after*** germplasm and ontology. DeltaBreed uses germplasm and ontology data to validate experiment & observation data so attempting to upload experiments first will result in a failed upload and error codes.

The experiment and observations template can be found in the import file screen, under the "Experiments & Observations" tab. To download the template, click on the purple button titled "download the experiments & observations import template".

Download the experiments & observations template button highlighted

About the template

Like the germplasm and ontology templates, this template has a readme screen that gives you details about what information you must include for a valid upload.

Pay close attention to the "required" column and any "yes" and "yes, if..." items. Many "yes, if" details are required if you are creating a new experiment upload including: GID, Exp Unit, Exp Title, Exp Type, Env, Env Location, Env Year, Exp Unit ID, Ex Replicate #, and Ex Block #. - Note that ObsUnitID is a system assigned value upon first import and is only required if appending an experiment. - Users can create both top level and bottom sub-entity datasets. Sub-entity datasets are only created through the UI within experiments.

At the bottom of the readme file includes details you should add if you wish to import observations as well as an optional observation timestamp. The phenotype needs to match the name of an ontology variable that is already loaded in your DeltaBreed program.

The data tab is where you input your data for upload. For any non-required columns, leave blank, use na or NA. Use of a "-" or other characters will cause an error upon upload.

Note that in this example of the template, there is an observation added. The column headers "FLWR_TIME" and "Lodging" match an ontology term already in DeltaBreed. Multiple ontology terms can be added in this same way within an experiment.

Timestamps can be included in the import template by including a column with a heading that appends “TS:” with the observation variable name. For example, observations for the variable `Vigor` can be timestamped by including a column titled `TS:Vigor`. Note that if timestamp is included without an observation, it will be ignored and not stored.\ Excel may change the field to a regular date (6/13/2024). Make sure your entry is put in as a text format to keep the proper date format.