A crop trait information acquisition system with multitag-based identification technologies for breeding precision management

- A acquisition system is developed with multitag-based identification technologies.
- The system provides four kinds of data acquisition modes for different requirements.
- Images and data are related, and image information is automatically generated.
- Field maps are created after planting directly via reading the RFID/NFC tags.

This paper aims to establish a crop trait information acquisition system by combining barcode and radio frequency-based electronic identification (RFID) and near-field communication (NFC) technology applications. The system was devised to ensure (a) correct identification of each crop material and plot, (b) quick query and positioning for information collection, (c) correct combination of crop phenotypic data and images, and (d) reliable recording of periodic crop trait data with dependable transmission to the main server. This system, with multitag-based identification technology, was developed on an Android platform using the Java language. A type of RFID/NFC tag with a high-frequency chip was applied in the core, and a quick response (QR) code was used on the surface for material identification. A smartphone with NFC function can be used as an RFID reader, and its built-in camera can be used to decode QR codes. The system was used in some seed industries' commercial breeding and in national crop variety regional trial, with its functions including reading/writing of RFID/NFC tags, decoding QR codes, acquiring crop trait information, creating field maps, and uploading data. This system provided a low-cost and highly efficient solution for crop trait information collection.