The vegetable variety navigator decision-support tool: An interactive visualization of variety trial meta-analysis results

Abstract

Variety trials provide growers with critical insight about how a specific variety might perform on their farm. Unfortunately, local variety trial data are often limited for specialty crop growers, especially those located outside of major production regions. One possible solution to this problem is to aggregate and synthesize existing variety trial results from many regions to help inform crop variety choices in regions without these data. We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of all publicly available variety trial data for broccoli (Brassica oleracea), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), and sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) to identify broadly adapted, high-yielding, and high-quality varieties of each crop. We extracted data from 288 sources and calculated mean relative yield and/or quality estimates for 85 broccoli, 104 cucumber, and 144 pepper varieties that were evaluated across a minimum of three distinct locations. Results of this meta-analysis were used to develop the Vegetable Variety Navigator-an online decision-support tool that allows users to search and compare the mean and potential range of yield and quality performance for specific varieties.Users can also explore an interactive map to discover how variety performance is influenced by region, climate, and soil texture. The Vegetable Variety Navigator distills an otherwise overwhelming amount of variety trial data into a user-friendly web tool for growers that is intended to complement, not replace, existing sources of information about local variety performance.