Proceedings
of The World Avocado Congress III, 1995 270 –274
AVOINFO:
A COMPUTERISED AVOCADO INFORMATION SYSTEM
Simon D. E. Newett, Shane F. Mulo, and Anthony W.
Whiley
Maroochy
Horticultural Research Station
Department of Primary Industries Queensland
Nambour 4560, Australia
AVOINFO is a computerised
multi-media style database that is designed to provide commercial avocado
producers, researchers, extension staff and consultants with easy and intuitive
access to a wide range of relevant literature and information.
The AVOINFO system comprises
two distinct modules. A reference database contains bibliographic details of
popular and technical literature on avocados sourced from international journals.
Where available, abstracts and in some cases entire papers are also included.
Customised search facilities aid rapid location of specific references.
A diagnostic system
comprising text, high quality graphical images and digital videos is useful for
identifying specific problems or conditions which can affect avocados. A
hierarchical keyword system is employed to logically subdivide the database
according to symptom or subject categories. These categories include
identification of pests and disorders affecting various parts of the tree.
Descriptive text accompanies each image in the database. Typically this text
includes information about the problem itself as well as suggested remedial
strategies.
Additional index words: software, reference database,
diagnostic database
1. Introduction
A large amount of literature
exists on avocados but much of this information is scattered and remains
difficult and time consuming to locate. Literature searches tend
to be tedious tasks for scientists and much useful
information is unknown or beyond the reach of the average producer. A new
electronic information system called AVOINFO has been developed to provide a
comprehensive collection of global avocado literature. AVOINFO also
incorporates a diagnostic database for identifying pests, diseases and other
disorders affecting avocados. Full advantage is made of multi-media technology
to deliver the information in many forms including text, colour images, digital
video
and sound.
AVOINFO
is designed for use by avocado growers, researchers, extension staff and
agribusiness professionals. It is also suitable for use by the wider community
through libraries and educational institutions. The language used throughout
AVOINFO is English.
AVOINFO is part of a larger project which includes the AVOMAN farm management
software (figure 1).
2. The program
2. 1. Reference database
The purpose of the AVOINFO
reference module is to provide the widest possible collection of avocado
literature in one database and to allow this information to be quickly and
easily accessed. There are over four thousand references in the latest
prototype, each of which includes bibliographic details and in most cases
abstracts. Where abstracts are not available, short summaries are included. In
some cases complete articles are reproduced.
The bibliographic details
recorded are:
• reference
number
• title
• author(s)
• address
• source
(journal)
• year of
publication
• language
of publication
• keywords.
A typical reference database
screen showing the bibliographic details of one reference is shown in figure 2.
The abstract associated with this reference can be viewed by selecting the
"Abstract” tab on the screen.
The program allows the user to
search for references using one or more database fields as selection criteria.
For example, apart from keywords, a search can be based on title, author(s),
journal, reference number and abstract contents. The power and flexibility of
the search mechanism is further enhanced by the inclusion of AND/OR join
clauses linking up to two search strings per database field. In addition to the
search facility, all references can be sorted by either number, title, senior
author, journal or
year of publication. A facility to print field
bibliographic records including the abstract for each reference is also
provided.
To qualify for inclusion in
the AVOINFO database, the word "avocado" must appear in either the
title or as a keyword in the reference. No restrictions are imposed on the
basis of language or publication date and abstracts of articles published in
foreign languages are translated into English before inclusion. In addition to
technical papers from international scientific journals, articles are also
being included from conference proceedings, year books and other bulletins. All
references included in AVOINFO appear with the permission of respective
copyright holders.
2.2. Diagnostic database
The primary purpose of the
diagnostic database is to provide a tool to assist in the identification of
avocado disorders. The database uses text, full colour images and digital video
to help avocado growers identify a wide range of problems affecting avocado
production. These include insect pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies,
nutrient toxicities and pre- and postharvest fruit disorders. Figure 3 shows
the result of a typical search with the "Pictures" tab selected. Text
is arranged according to topics such as symptoms, cause, function and
management. The information displayed for each of these topics can be selected
using the appropriate tab on the computer screen.
The diagnostic database is
equipped with a system which allows the user to quickly and intuitively
identify solutions. Solutions are found by starting with broad
symptoms/subjects then selecting more specific criteria. In each case the user
is presented with a short list of choices from which the desired option can be
quickly selected. An example of how a user might search for information on
shotholes in leaves is shown below.
• select affected plant part
(options include leaf, fruit, flower, branch, root or whole tree), in this case
select "leaf'
•
select the "search by symptom" option
• select an option from the list of broad symptoms
(these include holes, bum,
chlorosis, rot etc), in this
case select "holes"
• select an option from the
list of specific symptoms (these include shotholes between leaf veins and large
holes across leaf veins), in this case select "shotholes between leaf
veins"
Each stage narrows the range
of possibilities, however images and supportive text of all scenarios can be
viewed at any stage of the identification process.
The diagnostic database is
equipped with facilities to print any of the images and supporting text.
3. Discussion
The global pool of avocado
knowledge is constantly growing and in order for AVOINFO to remain useful it
must be updated regularly. The frequency with which this is done will depend on
how quickly new avocado literature and information becomes available. One advantage
of using a computerised system is that it is
relatively
easy and inexpensive to maintain and update.
Apart from regular updating,
accessibility and ease of use are also essential to the effectiveness of the package.
AVOINFO is therefore designed to run on IBM compatible personal computers using
the popular Microsoft® Windows™ operating system.
Due to the size of the database it is envisaged that
AVOINFO will be distributed on compact disc (CD-ROM), but with increasing
international use of the world wide web (internet) consideration may also be
given to using this medium as a delivery mechanism.
AVOINFO will be a potentially
valuable resource for people working in or affiliated with the avocado industry
when the first version is released in 1997.
Acknowledgments
The AVOMAN project,
incorporating AVOINFO, is an initiative of the Department of Primary
Industries, Queensland, and is funded and supported by the following
organisations:
DPI Queensland Piccone Horticultural Consultancy Pty Ltd
NSW
Agriculture
Horticultural Research & Development Corporation
WA Department of Agriculture Australian Avocado Growers' Federation
The AVOMAN project team includes Terry Campbell,
Garry Fullelove, Irene Kemot, Scott Ledger, Alec McCarthy, Shane Mulo, Simon
Newett, Marie Piccone and Tony Whiley. The efforts of past team members Ian
Atkinson, Alex Banks and Bob Paulin is also gratefully acknowledged. Pam Moon,
University of Florida, USA is especially acknowledged for her assistance with
the capture and compilation of information for inclusion in AVOINFO.