This presentation provides an overview of using barcode technology in genebanks. It discusses applying barcodes to collection formats like seed collections, plant collections from the field or bench, in vitro collections, and herbarium collections. It describes the elements of barcode labels, specifications for different label types and printers, and minimal hardware needed. The goal is to reduce errors, improve efficiency, and facilitate germplasm identification and tracking using this technology.

1. P r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e N a t i o n a l P r o g r a m s o f S e e d f o r R e s i l i e n c e
P r o j e c t ( S F R )
July, 2022
CIP Genebank: Barcode Technology Quick Overview
Edwin Rojas (CIP)
IT Specialist & GRIN-Global Administrator
Support GRIN-Global Wizards and IT technical support for external genebanks.

2. Agenda
• Genebank and Collection Formats
• From Genebank Requirements to Best Practices
• Barcode Label Elements and Composition
• Barcode Label Specifications
• Rolls of Labels and Ribbons
• Minimal Hardware for Barcode Labels

3. Genebank and Collection Formats
Barcode technology applied in the routinary collection format activities
G
e
n
e
b
a
n
k
Seed Collection
Collection Formats
Plant Collection
in Bench
Plant Collection
in Field

4. Genebank and Collection Formats
Barcode technology applied in the routinary collection format activities
G
e
n
e
b
a
n
k
In Vitro Collection
Collection Formats
Herbarium Collection Cryo Collection
2
cm

5. From Genebank Requirements to Best Practices
Genebank Requirements:
• Reduce human errors
when handling the
germplasm samples
• improve efficiency of the
daily activities
Solution:
• Use an identification system
• Select a widely used and
cheap identification system
• Use Barcode technology
• Durable for extended storage
• Produces long-life image stability
• Durable enough for transport
• Facilitate germplasm identification &
tracking
• Apply labels where samples are taken when
moving from field/bench to testing labs
Barcode label considerations:
Best Practices:
• Print instead writing on
labels to eliminate pen-
based procedures
• Scan barcodes instead
reading labels to
eliminate delays and
reduce human errors
• Barcoding labelling in all
procedures to automate
operations

6. Barcode label elements and composition
Accession number
Collecting number
Species acronym + Country origin (ISO 3166)
Geographical location of sowing
Date of samples harvested
Field location: Row + Plot number
Barcode = Accession number + Field location
Example use case: Label of potato tuber harvested and sticked in paper bags.
3.5 cm

7. Barcode label elements and composition
Barcode and text
(Printed by thermal transfer or
direct thermal)
Media
(Synthetic or paper material)
Glue
(Removable or permanent)

8. Barcode label specifications
Barcode & text
Media
Glue
Seed Collection stored
in cold rooms for
long-term
Collection Formats
Plant Collection
Stored in Bench
• Barcode symbology: Data matrix
• Print technology: Thermal transfer
• Ribbon type: Resin
• Period term > 50 years
• Barcode symbology: Data matrix
• Print technology: Thermal transfer
• Ribbon type: Wax + Resin
• Period term < 3 years
• Media type: Synthetic polyester
• Rolls of 4 thousand labels
• Thickness: <100 microns
• Label size: 3.3 x 3.5 cm
• Roll columns: 3
• Media type: Synthetic polyplas
• Rolls of 1 thousand labels
• Thickness: 200 microns
• Label size: 191 x 25 mm
• Roll columns: 4
• Glue type: Permanent • Glue type: Not use

9. Barcode label specifications
Plant Collection Stored
in Field
Collection Formats
Plant Collection
in Bench for
seed regeneration
• Barcode symbology: Data matrix
• Print technology: Direct Thermal
• Ribbon type: Not use
• Period term < 6 months
• Barcode symbology: Data matrix
• Print technology: Thermal transfer
• Ribbon type: Wax + Resin
• Period term < 1 year
• Media type Synthetic polypropylene
• Rolls of 350 labels
• Thickness: 91 microns
• Label size: 2.0 x 1.0 inches
• Roll columns: 1
• Media type Synthetic polyplas
• Rolls of 1 thousand labels
• Thickness: 200 microns
• Label size: 191 x 25 mm
• Roll columns: 4
• Glue type: Removable • Glue type: Not use
Barcode & text
Media
Glue

10. Barcode label specifications
Collection Formats
In Vitro Collection or
for Laboratories
• Barcode symbology: Data matrix
• Print technology: Thermal transfer
• Ribbon type: Wax + Resin
• Period term < 3 years
• Media type: Synthetic polypropylene
• Rolls of 4000 labels
• Thickness: <100 microns
• Label size: 3.3 x 3.5 inches
• Roll columns: 3
• Glue type: Removable
Barcode & text
Media
Glue

11. Rolls of Labels and Ribbons
Product: Roll of labels
Manufacture: Local provider
Labels per roll: 4000
Columns: 3
Printer: Desktop
Ribbon type: Resin or Wax/Resin
Product: Ribbon
Manufacture: Zebra
Type: Wax/Resin
Printer: Desktop
Product: Ribbon
Manufacture: Zebra
Type: Resin
Printer: Desktop
Product: Roll of labels
Manufacture: Zebra
Labels per roll: 350
Columns: 1
Printer: Mobile
Ribbon type: Not use
Product: Roll of labels
Manufacture: DURA-ID
Labels per roll: 1000
Columns: 4
Printer: Desktop
Ribbon type: Wax/Resin
10
cm
5
cm
10
cm

12. Minimal Hardware for Barcode Labels
Product: Mobile Printer
Manufacture: Zebra
Model: ZQ500
Rugged Classification: IP54
Print Technology: Direct Thermal
Ribbon type: Not use
Product: Desktop Barcode
Manufacture: Zebra
Model: Series ZT411
Rugged Classification: Rugged metal frame and case
for demanding activities
Print Technology: Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer
Ribbon type: Resin or Wax/Resin

13. Product: Handheld Scanner by USB cable
Manufacture: Zebra
Model: DS6707SR
Classification: IP41
Product: Inalambric Handheld Scanner
Manufacture: Zebra
Model: LS3578-ER
Classification: IP65
Minimal Hardware for Barcode Labels

14. The International Potato Center (known by its Spanish acronym CIP) is
a research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato,
and Andean roots and tubers. CIP is dedicated to delivering sustainable
science-based solutions to the pressing world issues of hunger, poverty,
gender equity, climate change and the preservation of our Earth’s fragile
biodiversity and natural resources.
www.cipotato.org
CIP is a member of CGIAR
CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its
science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the
CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.
www.cgiar.org