Location: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory
2023 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1:
Improve the capabilities of the GRIN-Global information management system, in alignment with the overall NPGS Plan, to meet the needs of NPGS genebanks and external users, including avoiding backlogs in data curation and expanding automated data sharing with other research and service databases.
Sub-objective/Goal 1A: Improve the GRIN-Global database, middle tier, and presentation tier features and functions.
Sub-objective/Goal 1B: Expand automated data sharing with other research and service databases.
Objective 2:
Operate all GRIN sites, primarily GRIN-Global, to document and safeguard genetic resources, deliver relevant and accurate information to users and stakeholders, and comply with all information security requirements.
Sub-objective/Goal 2A: Publish open access information about agricultural genetic resource collections, and plant genebank operations and training information.
Sub-objective 2B: Document GRIN-Global with guides and manuals and train internal and external users to ensure efficient and productive use of the system.
Sub-objective 2C: Operate all GRIN websites with maximum availability and in compliance with policies and procedures to protect information confidentiality and integrity.
Approach
The GRIN-Global software will be enhanced by the development team using appropriate tools, principles, and practices. The features and functions will be improved for the curator tool used by National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) genebank staff, the administrator tool used by system administrators, the middle tier that determines the business rules, and the public website used by global scientists and germplasm requestors. New software releases will be scheduled at regular intervals. All released versions of the software will be deposited into the GRIN-Global international code repository and made freely available to collaborators. The project will emphasize creating real-time conduits for automated sharing as both a provider and receiver of plant genetic resources related data. The project will provide as much technical assistance to international partners as is feasible, and will participate in global genebank community discussion, planning and implementation events. Documentation, training, and help materials will be developed using a variety of formats to ensure maximal and efficient utilization of the system. Genebank staff will be offered regular opportunities to receive training on using GRIN-Global. The project will provide secure and reliable access to the information management system for internal and external users. All hardware and software components will be operated in compliance with USDA and ARS information security policies and procedures. The project will also operate the GRIN website that documents the USDA National Genetic Resources Program. These include providing public access to informational pages or searchable databases for animal, microbial, and plant collections. GRIN will serve as a public repository of information about the activities of the National Genetic Resources Advisory Council of USDA. The project will also operate the GRIN-U website as an open access resource for online learning on topics related to plant genetic resources conservation and use.
Progress Report
This is the first progress report for the new project 8042-21000-301-000D. There has been one GRIN-Global server release (May 2023) since the new project was approved in April 2023. One or two more releases are planned before the end of fiscal year 2023. One current emphasis is further developing the matrix between seasonable availability of accessions and multiple form types of an accession. Currently, seasonable availability can be set and displayed on the website for only the default inventory type of an accession. For temperate woody accessions, this is typically dormant budwood. We plan to add the capacity to display seasonal availability and enable ordering of alternative form types such as leaves, fruit, and pollen. Progress has been made on the web-based Taxonomy Editor.
Accomplishments
1. GRIN is available continuously as a global resource. The Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database, operated by ARS scientists in Beltsville, Maryland, was publicly available almost continually throughout fiscal year 2023. GRIN provided valuable and comprehensive information about agricultural genetic resources, especially those of the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). As of June 2023, NPGS genebanks have distributed more than 100,000 plant germplasm samples in the calendar year based on requests received through GRIN. This material is used by global scientists to improve agricultural production and sustainability.
2. GRIN-U provides open access site for plant genetic resources (PGR) education and training. A new member of the GRIN family of applications was launched in July 2021 to support a NIFA-funded project to enhance educational and training opportunities in the broad areas of plant germplasm conservation and utilization, and genebank operations. The site, called GRIN-U, is freely available online. This project is providing WordPress framework through which project collaborators at ARS, Colorado State University, and Iowa State University, can publish visual (videos, virtual tours, podcasts) and printed (e-books, infographics, manuals) materials on a variety of topics related to PGR management and plant genebank operations. About 45 new content items were added between June 2022 and June 2023, including an ongoing effort to collect and publish “success stories” describing how PGR have directly contributed to crop production and protection efforts. We also initiated a quarterly electronic newsletter highlighting new content. As of June 2023, the site has served about 5,000 users from 122 countries since it was launched, with the top five user origins being, in order, the U.S., China, Canada, India, and Brazil. This site will help train a new generation of plant scientists and technical staff, as well as the broader university student and general public communities, about the importance of PGR in global food production and security.
