The project "FAIR Digital Objects for Plant Phenomics" focuses on improving the connectivity and standardization of research data in plant phenotyping (i.e., the systematic recording of observable plant characteristics such as growth, morphology, or responses to environmental conditions). At its core is the integration of the established standards MIAPPE, ISA, and ARC—formats for the structured description of experiments and research data—which together aim to enable a transparent, reproducible, and FAIR-compliant representation of experimental data.

Since their combined application remains complex, the project emphasizes the development of well-documented reference datasets and practical examples that simplify the use of these formats. In addition, strategies are being developed to enhance data discoverability and interoperability through the use of Bioschemas (standardized metadata structures for describing biological data on the web) and the Semantic Web.

Through close collaboration between domain scientists and data experts, the project generates best practices that will sustainably improve the quality, reusability, and integration of research data in the plant sciences.

The project “FAIR Digital Objects for Plant Phenomics” is being carried out within the framework of the NFDI4Biodiversity Topic Tables, for which the first call was issued in 2025—a collaborative format that connects stakeholders across the biodiversity community to jointly develop solutions in research data management. Learn more about the Topic Tables here.

• Generation of Harmonized, MIAPPE-Compliant Reference Datasets: The reference datasets to be created will demonstrate how MIAPPE can be implemented and harmonized across different formats such as ARC (ISA XLSX), ISA Tab, and ISA JSON. These datasets will be published as citable data publications.
• Connection to Semantic Web/Bioschemas.org: By linking to the world of the Semantic Web and Bioschemas.org, the discoverability and usability of the data by search engines and other applications are improved.
• Best Practices: The developed best practices for creating and publishing MIAPPE-compliant datasets will be shared with the community through comprehensive guidelines.

• Two two-day workshops focusing on key topics
• Biweekly online status meetings
• Collaborative development of reference datasets
• Joint development of best-practice guidelines

• Status: Active
• Start: 01/2026
• Expected End: 06/2027

Project Lead/Contact Person

• Daniel Arend, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben: arendd@ipk-gatersleben.de

Additional Contributors

The Topic Table team also includes staff from the following institutions:

• Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben
• Forschungszentrum Jülich
• Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
• Rhineland-Palatinate University of Technology Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU)
• Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

The NFDI4Biodiversity Topic Tables provide a collaborative space for the biodiversity community to advance key topics in research data management. Based on an open call, four topics were selected for 2026, which are integrated into the consortium’s work program and supported organizationally. NFDI4Biodiversity provides the structural framework, facilitates professional networking, and ensures that results are made visible and can be sustainably developed further.

The aim is to bring together expertise, align existing approaches, and produce tangible outputs—such as white papers, guidelines, or roadmaps. The resulting contributions support practical work with biodiversity data, promote shared standards, and strengthen reliable, interoperable data use within the community.

Topic Table projects are generally designed to run for one year. To stay informed about upcoming calls, feel free to subscribe to our community mailing list and follow us on LinkedIn.

An overview of all current Topic Tables can be found here.