Use of Open-Source Tools for Imaging and Recording Phenotypic Traits of a Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) Mutant Population

Abstract Mutation breeding in Coffea arabica offers a powerful tool to induce novel genetic variability for breeding and genetic studies. The success of a mutation breeding program depends largely on the ability to screen large populations for target traits. There is also a need to accurately record induced mutant traits at the individual plant level. Comprehensive phenotyping requires measuring and tracking traits of interest during the crop growth cycle and subsequent generations. Therefore, efficient and accurate data collection and recording of traits is essential, both at the individual plant level and populations. In recent years, various high-throughput plant phenotyping platforms have been developed. However, these are typically proprietary, and/or require costly infrastructures. In this chapter we illustrate the use of Field Book and ImageJ, two public domain software tools, for phenotyping and documenting growth and yield traits of a greenhouse-grown Arabica coffee mutant population. Example data of M 1 and M 2 mutant phenotypes induced through EMS and gamma-ray mutagenesis are presented. We further demonstrate the use of these tools for quantifying the canopy of mutants and non-mutagenized controls. These tools can be more widely applied to other visual phenotypes including plant or tissue responses to biotic or abiotic stresses. The use of free, open-access tools for integrating electronic data recording with image processing can greatly improve the efficiency, precision and speed of data collection for screening large mutant populations and is especially useful in resource-limiting settings.