Ontology Management
Another core function of crop database is the management of trait ontologies. A trait ontology is a structured vocabulary that allows phenotypic descriptors to act as variables in database queries and statistical analyses. Precise and uniform trait ontologies are critical for data standardization. Phenotypic traits in the BMS are defined by method, property, and scale - thus allowing a single trait to have alternative naming conventions.
• Property: What trait is being measured
• Method: How the measurement is preformed
• Scale: Units of measure or categorical data values
For example, plant height (property), measured with meter stick (method), in centimeters (scale) can be referenced by different names without changing the meaning. English speakers could refer to this trait as PLANT_HEIGHT_CM and French speakers, HAUTEUR_PLANTE_CM.