Web-Based Data Management Techniques for Coordinated Trials of Sugarcane Technologies

Sugarcane production technologies being developed by research institutions are highly location specific and require multi-location trials in diverse conditions before adoption. In India, multi-location trials of technologies are conducted under All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Sugarcane through a network of 36 centres in four disciplines of crop improvement, crop production, entomology and plant pathology. Monitoring and evaluation of trials is accomplished through experts’ field visits, meetings and workshop. Sugarcane being a long duration crop, a large amount of trial observation data are recorded by centres at various crop stages. Data are analysed, compiled and documented by centre officials, principal investigator and project coordinator for interpretation of trial results. Traditional system of data management poses many issues such as retyping of data, late reporting, wrong/missing data, poor documentation, wrong interpretation and poor decision support. A web-based software AICRP Reporter has been implemented for recording and reporting of AICRP trial data to solve these problems and to increase efficiency. Paper gives brief information about the data management technique used in this system for an effective coordination among various AICRP stakeholders for achieving its objectives. System enables timely reporting of data; consistent and reliable reports; and remote monitoring. Data once recorded can be utilized in historical perspective for new knowledge discovery. System is generic in nature and can be implemented for other such research organizations at national and international level with specific knowledge updation.