During my masters' program, the most exciting part of my journey as an aspiring plant breeder began after completing the theoretical course work. This was the time when my focus shifted from classroom learning to real fieldwork.
Many questions raced through my mind, will I be able to do it? what if I fail or make mistakes? Fortunately, guidance and experience of my advisors helped me calm down. I made mistakes and got scolded for them too. But each mistake became valuable lesson that shaped my growth. From formulating the trial to recording and analyzing data, my trial became my greatest teacher.
Read before start working on it
Before starting your work, you should read all the related research papers. This will help you to understand what to do, when to do and how to do it. This will help to minimize your mistakes while working on it.
2. Trial Layout
The first major challenge in any breeding trial is setting up the layout. This is where I realised how useful Pythagoras theorem can be. Even small error of a few inches can lead to completely wrong layout.
3. Stay calm and focused
Keeping calm head is one of the most important qualities a breeder must develop, on which I'm still working on. Getting excited or anxious while working can lead to mistakes.
4. Daily visits to your trial
From sowing to harvesting, visiting your field daily is necessary. Regular visits help you to notice even the smallest change happening in the crop.
5) Question everything you see
This approach of questioning everything you see helps to draw conclusions.
6) Look beyond the data
Data is powerful, but it is not the only source to draw a conclusion. Its important to observe and note down everything that affects crop growth. Many visible traits and observations along with data helps you to draw meaningful and accurate conclusions.
7) Mastering data analyzing
The most important lesson that I learned was how to analyze and interpret data to draw conclusions. The ability to draw meaningful conclusions from data is a heart of plant breeding.
If you are about to start your work enjoy the learning. Mistakes will happen but it is the part of process. My first breeding trial was more than just an academic exercise. These lessons will continue to guide me as I grow in this field.