Data management system of the NIAR gene bank was developed on the basis of a relational data model using relational data base management system (RDBMS)which is running under the UNIX operating system. Stored data are classified into three categories : "passport", "stock", "evaluation"data. A total of 170,000 records has been compiled for passport data, along with 300,000 stock data and 100,000 evaluation data; so far.
Data model of plant genetic resources is as follows:
The schema for the passport data management consists of 12 tables, e.g. a passport data table, a plant code table, etc.
The schema for the stock data management consists of 14 tables, e. g. tables related to the registration of new accessions, distribution of seeds, multiplication of seeds, germination test of seeds, etc.
The schema for the management of evaluated data consists of more than 600 tables. Evaluation was performed for approximately 110 plants.
As usually data management of one table requires a data management program, the passport data management system and the stock data management system were readily developed, under such concept.
For the management of evaluated data, however, it is impossible to develop 600 programs for the management of 600 tables. Therefore, instead of the development of specific programs for each plant, we developed a data dictionary system relating to the table structure for each plant and also a data management program which covers the whole tables for the plants using. the dynamic SQL.