Vegetable Grafting Decision Support Tool User Manual

http://graftingtool.ifas.ufl.edu/

1 Introduction

Grafting is a promising horticultural technique for commercial vegetable production because it can provide vegetable growers a sustainable and eco-friendly practice to manage plant diseases, boost plant nutrient and water absorption, and increase fruit quality. In addition to resources for adopting the grafting practice in the farm, producers need information on how grafting practices affect cost and revenue to make decisions to adopt the technology. Given the volatile yield of grafting plants and unknown grafted transplant prices, producers need to be able to evaluate trade-offs associated with grafting practice, expected yield, and net returns.

Vegetable Grafting Decision Support Tool is developed to allow producers, extension agents, and researchers to compare user-specific production conditions for growing vegetables using grafting and non-grafting practices. The user may specify:

• State to indicate where the farms/experimental stations are located.
• Crop name to indicate the crops by specifying crop name,of interests.
• Scion to indicate the scion used for grafting.
• Rootstock to indicate the scion used for grafting.
• Crop type to indicate whether the crop the production is organic or conventional, and the names of scion and rootstock of expected grafting transplants.
• Production systems to indicate whether the production system is an open field, or high tunnel, or greenhouse production system.tunnels, or greenhouses are used.
• Other farm characteristics such as the location of the farm, the production season, and farm size.
• Production season to indicate when the crop is grown.

With the production conditions that users define, the tool provides users with information on the economic conditions (e.g., revenue, cost, net income) of an average vegetable farm with a similar production condition. It allows users to conduct a side-by-side comparison of economic conditions between vegetable farms that use grafting and the ones do not use grafting. There are three main types of economic analysis:

• Partial Budget Analysis: It compares details that contribute to added or reduced costs and net returns between non-grafting and grafting practices.
• Sensitivity Analysis: It demonstrates the change in the net returns of non-grafting and grafting practices under various production scenarios and determines the importance of the changing factor that affect the net return.
• Break-Even Analysis: It calculates the threshold of a factor when non-grafting and grafting practices generate the same net returns.

Besides, the tool allows users to modify the budget sheet and conduct three types of aforementioned economic analysis using values fitting user-specific vegetable farm conditions. Last but not least, the tool aims to deliver the most recent grafting-related research results to vegetable producers. It allows researchers on vegetable grafting to upload the most recent research results to the database on which producers rely to conduct the economic analysis.

This tool is a product of a university, USDA and industry team funded in part by Award #2016-51181-25404 of the USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative titled “Growing new roots: Grafting to enhance resiliency in U.S. vegetable industries.”

1.1 Use Caveats

The default values used in the analysis are based on experimental observations and from existing literature. Changes in parameter values and their implications on net returns are estimates. Users should use their own reasonable judgment to determine whether the direction and magnitudes of economic indicators are appropriate before making and decision on their production practices based on the results from the tool.

As such, this tool is provided ‘as is’ and without warranties as to performance or merchantability. Any statements made by the tool do not constitute warranties and shall not be relied on by the user in deciding whether to use the tool or act on its results. This tool is provided without any expressed or implied warranties whatsoever. The user assumes the entire risk of using the tool. The University of Florida will not be liable for any claim or damage brought against the user by any third party, nor will the University of Florida be liable for any consequential, indirect, or special damages suffered by the user as a result of the software.

2 Access to the Decision Support Tool

The Vegetable Grafting Decision Support Tool is developed using Python Django Web framework. It is a free and open-source Python Web framework provided by the Django Software Foundation.

To access the tool, users may need Internet access and a web browser (Common web browsers are Firefox, Chrome, or IE). The decision support tool can be used by typing the URL address http://graftingtool.ifas.ufl.edu/ in the web browser address bar.

We strongly recommend users use a desktop or laptop to access the tool. Using a tablet or phone may miss some functions.

3 Home Page

Upon visiting the tool’s URL address, users are immediately directed to the homepage of the tool. The homepage of the tool provides an overview of the tool and a role selection section to allow users to select a role best describes themselves in order to access the unique functions that are designed for the role.

3.1 “Select Your Role” Section

At the top of the homepage, users are asked to choose a role better describes themselves (Figure 3.1). By selecting a role, users are directed to a new web page to access their account (For details, please read Section 4) and use functions that are specifically developed for the selected role.

The functions for different roles are:

• Vegetable Producer:
  • Conduct economic analysis (For details, please read Section 5 and Section 6)
• Researcher:
  • Conduct economic analysis (For details, please read Section 5 and Section 6)
  • Report new experiment results (For details, please read Section 9)
• Extension Agent:
  • Conduct economic analysis (For details, please read Section 5 and Section 6)
  • Report new experiment results (For details, please read Section 9)

Figure 3.1: The “Role Selection” section on the homepage

3.2 “About” Section

Below the role-selection section of the homepage, users see a section “About” (Figure 3.2). In this section, users can read a brief introduction of the tool.

Figure 3.2: The “About” section on the homepage

In the section, users can also read a brief introduction of different types of economic analysis by clicking the button for that type of economic analysis.

For example, if users are interested in learning what the sensitivity analysis is, they may click the “Sensitivity Analysis” button. The button calls up another screen to provide a brief introduction of sensitivity analysis (Figure 3.3). When users finish read the introduction, they may go back to the home page by clicking the “Close Window” button .

Figure 3.3: A brief introduction of sensitivity analysis page

3.3 “Contact Us” Section

At the bottom of the home page of the tool, Users can get access to the contact information of developers of the tool (Figure 3.4). They may reach out to the development team for any feedback, question, and suggestion by sending an email.

Figure 3.4: The “Contact Us” section on the homepage

4 Account Management

The tool allows users to create an account using their email address. Creating an account is optional for vegetable producers who use the tool, but we strongly recommend you do so, please read Section 4.1 for the benefit of creating an account. If you do not wish to create an account but still conduct economic analysis, please click the “Continue As A Guest” button(Figure: 4.1) at any account management web pages.

Figure 4.1: The “Continue As A Guest” button

However, the tool requires researchers and extension agents who use the tool to create an account. The reason the tool requires researchers and extension agents to create an account is that it allows the tool administration team to verify the experiment results that researchers and extension agent report are authentic, on which would be relied to conduct economic analysis (For details of report economic result, please read Section 9).

If users wish to learn more about different types of users of the tool (vegetable producer, researcher, and extension agent), please read Section 3.1.

4.1 The Benefit of Registering an Account

Although creating an account is not required, a vegetable producer who uses the tool is strongly recommended to create an account. The benefits of creating an account are listed in the following section.

4.1.1 Save Economic Analysis Results and View Economic Analysis History

Creating an account allows the tool to store users’ analysis history in the database. Users may view their historical economic analysis results anytime once they login to their account.

For details, please read Section 8.

4.1.2 Receive Updates of Grafting Research

The other benefit of creating an account is to allow users to join our email list to receive any news or updates of vegetable grafting research.

To join the email list, users may

• First, click their “User Name” at the top-right corner of web pages once they login to the account.
• Then, select Account from the drop-down list
• Next, click Email Newsletter on the new page
• Finally, check the box at the new page and click the Save button

An example can be found in Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2: Join the Email newsletter email list group

To stop receiving the Email newsletter, users may follow the previous steps but uncheck the box and then click the Save button at the last step.

4.2 Account Registration

Registering an account at the tool requires three steps.

• First, users may click the Create an Account on the bottom of the login page once users select their role on the homepage of the tool. After clicking Create an Account, users are directed to a registration page.

  An example can be found in Figure 4.3

  

  Figure 4.3: An example of access to registering an account page

• Second, users may fill the fields of the registration form and click “Register Account”. The required information is:

  • Full Name: Users’ user-name.

  • Email Address: Users’ email address. This is the information used for authentication of the account (such as login to your account or reset password) and contacted by the tool development team. This information CANNOT BE CHANGED, please provide users’ primary email address.

  • Password: Users’ password of the account. A valid password requires

    • can’t be too similar to your other personal information.
    • must contain at least 8 characters.
    • can’t be too similar to your other personal information.
    • can’t be a commonly used password.
    • can’t be entirely numeric.

    The password can be reset anytime. For instruction, please read Section 4.5. If users forget the password, they may reset a new password following Section 4.4.

  An example of a registration form can be found in Figure 4.4.

  

  Figure 4.4: Registering an account page

• After submitting the registration form, users may receive an email in their registered Email address. Users may open their email and click the link in the email to activate the account. An example can be found in Figure 4.5

  

  Figure 4.5: An example of an email to activate account

Once users follow all the steps, users’ accounts are successfully created and they may use their email address and password to login to the account.

If users are creating accounts as a vegetable grafting researcher or extension agent (For details, please read Section 3.1), please follow the above steps. The vegetable grafting decision support team will manually verify your information and change your account type as a vegetable grafting researcher or extension agent in 24 hours.

4.3 Account Login

Once users choose the role that best describes themselves (For details, please read Section 3.1), they are directed to the account login page.

To login in the account, users may provide - Account Email address - Account password Then users may click the “Login” button to login in the account (Figure 4.6)

Figure 4.6: Login account page

If users would like to create an account, please read Section 4.2.

If users forget the password and wish to reset the password for the account, please read Section 4.4.

4.4 Forget Password

When users forget the password, they may reset their password using their email address associated with the account.

To reset the password, users may follow the following steps:

• Click the "Forgot Password at the account login page (Figure 4.7).

  

  Figure 4.7: Access to forget password page

• Users will be directed to the reset password page. At this page, users may provide their Email address associated with the account and then click the “Reset Password” button (Figure 4.8).

  

  Figure 4.8: Forget password email address page

• A password reset email with a unique link will be sent to the email address provided if the email address exists in our account database.

• Users may open their email and click the link to go to the password reset page (Figure 4.9).

  

  Figure 4.9: Forget password email

• Users may reset the password by filling the fields and click “Reset password” button (Figure 4.10).

  

  Figure 4.10: Reset password when forgetting the password

4.5 Reset Password

Users may reset password anytime when login to the account. To be able to do so, users may

• Visit the Change your password page (Figure 4.11)

  • First, click their “User Name” at the top-right corner of web pages once they login to the account.
  • Then, select Account from the drop-down list
  

  Figure 4.11: Access to reset password page

• Reset the password by filling the fields and click “Reset password” button (Figure 4.12).

  

  Figure 4.12: Reset password

5 Economic Analysis Input Page

After selecting the role best describes themselves (For details, please read Section 3.1) and choosing to use the tool as a guest or registered account user (For details, please read Section 4), users may start to conduct economic analysis using the tool.

5.1 Start a New Analysis Session

To start a new economic analysis session, users may click the “Start New Analysis” button at the start new analysis page (Figure 5.1). After clicking the button, users are directed to the next page to input their farm information.

Figure 5.1: start a new analysis page

Users may visit this page anytime to start a new economic analysis by clicking the “Start New Analysis” button, which is located at the top of each web page (Figure 5.2).

Figure 5.2: “Start New Analysis” button

Before users start to conduct economic analysis, it is strongly recommended to read this user manual because it may provide valuable information to users on how to conduct analysis and interpret the economic analysis results.

5.2 Define Experiment Search Condition

After users click the “Start New Analysis” button at the start new analysis page (for details, please read Section 5.1), users are directed to the input page. The purpose of the page is to allow users to enter their vegetable production conditions so that they could use the experiment data that are similar to their production conditions to conduct the economic analysis. Users may fill in the fields by selecting an option from the drop-down list and click the “Search” button to search the experiment data that are similar to their search conditions (Figure 5.3). The drop-down list is activated by clicking once with the left mouse button on the field. The fields that users need to fill in are:

• Your State: (Not Required)

  The first input field is the location of the vegetable farm. It allows users to specify which of the state the farm is located. The answer for the field allows the tool to search the experiment data that is close to or in the state that users specify. If users are not interested in the performance of vegetable grafting technology in a particular state, they may leave this field empty.

• Your Crop Name: (Required)

  This field asks users to choose a crop name that they intend to use to conduct economic analysis from the drop-down list. To be able to continue on economic analysis, Users must fill in this field.

• Your Scion: (Dependent on “Your Crop Name” field and Not Required)

  This field asks users to choose a scion that they intend to use under the grafting production condition. Since the choice of the scion is associated with the crop, the drop-down list is activated after users make a choice of the crop name. Otherwise, none of the options is shown in the drop-down list. If users are not interested in a specific scion, they may leave this field empty.

• Your Rootstock: (Dependent on “Your Scion” field and Not Required)

  This field asks users to choose a rootstock they intend to use under the grafting production condition. Since the choice of the rootstock is associated with the scion, the drop-down list is activated after users make a choice of the scion. Otherwise, none of the options is shown in the drop-down list. If users are not interested in a specific rootstock, they may leave this field empty.

• Your Crop Type: (Not Required)

  This field asks users to choose a crop type they intend to plant. The options are “conventional” or “organic”. Since various crop types may be associated with the crop selling price and production cost, providing this information may improve the accuracy of economic analysis. It is strongly recommended to provide the information. If users are not interested in a particular crop type, they may leave this field empty.

• Your Production System: (Not Required)

  This field asks users to choose a production system on which they intend to operate their vegetable farm. The options are “open field”, “high tunnel”, and “greenhouse”. Since the volatile performance of grafting technology and the cost of production across various production systems, providing this information may improve the accuracy of economic analysis. It is strongly recommended to provide the information. If users are not interested in a particular production system, they may leave this field empty.

• Your Production Season: (Not Required)

  This filed asks users to choose a production season. The options are “Spring”, “Summer”, and “Fall”. Since the crop selling price may vary from seasons, providing this information may improve the accuracy of economic analysis. It is strongly recommended to provide the information. If users are not interested in a particular production season, they may leave this field empty.

Figure 5.3: Input farm production conditions

5.3 Select Experiment Result

After users click the “Search” button, the tool provides a list of experiment result data that users can include in their economic analysis. If users intend to include the experiment result in the economic analysis, they may “Check” the box located at the most right column of the table showing experiment results. Users may include as many experiment results as they want. After users finish their choice, they may click the “Submit” button to confirm their choice and be directed to the farm size input page (Figure 5.4).

Figure 5.4: Choose experiment result to be included in the economic analysis

If users do not include any experiment result in Figure 5.4 and click the “Submit” button, the tool includes all experiment results from the list to the economic analysis and directs users to the farm size input page.

If users want to remove one experiment result they previously have chosen from the economic analysis, they may “Un-check” the box located at the most right column of the table showing experiment results (Figure 5.5).

Figure 5.5: Remove an experiment result to be included in the economic analysis

If uses want to remove all experiment results they previously have chosen from the economic analysis and make a choice again, they may click the “Clear” button (Figure 5.6).

Figure 5.6: Remove all experiment results to be included in the economic analysis

5.4 Input Farm Size

Once users finish choosing experiment results to be included in the economic analysis, the tool asks users to provide their farm size information. The default value is 1 acre. If users want to make a change, they may directly type the farm size in the field and click the “Analyze” button (Figure 5.7).

Figure 5.7: Farm size input page

6 Economic Analysis Results

Once users the “Analyze” button after specifying the farm size, they are directed to the economic analysis results pages. In a typical economic analysis result page, it has the following sections (Figure 6.6):

• Economic analysis name section: In this section, users may find the name of economic analysis. If users would like to learn more about the meaning of the analysis, they may click the question mark next to the name of the analysis. For example, if users are interested in learning the meaning of partial budget comparison analysis, they may click the question mark next to the Comparison Analysis (Figure 6.1).

  

  Figure 6.1: An example of the help button for the partial comparison budget analysis

  A pop-up window will be shown the explanation of the partial budget analysis and the instruction on how to interpret the results (An example can be found in Figure 6.2)

  

  Figure 6.2: An example of the help page for the partial comparison budget analysis

• Results navigation section: In this section, users may go see different economic analysis results by clicking various buttons.

• Economic analysis results section: In this section, users may find the details of the the economic analysis results. For details of different types of economic analysis, please read Section 6.1, Section 6.2, and Section 6.3.

• Farm information section: In this section, users may find information on their farm information. It shows the production conditions that users specify at the input page (please read Section 5 for how to specify production conditions)

  Also, the tool allows users to conduct the economic analysis that is specific for users’ own farm by modifying the budget sheet. To modifying the budget sheet, users may click the “Customize Budget Sheet” button located at the bottom of the section (Figure 6.3). For details of customizing the budget sheet, please read Section 7.

  

  Figure 6.3: “Customize Budget Sheet” button

• Experiment result data section: In this section, users may find the experiment data that are included to conduct the current economic analysis.For details on how to select experiment data and include them in the economic analysis, please read Section 5.3 User may check out the detail information of experiment data by clicking " Experiment Details" button in the table (Figure 6.4).

  

  Figure 6.4: “Experiment Details” button

  Users may see a pop-up window to explain the details of experiment (Figure 6.5)

  

  Figure 6.5: An example of experiment details page

Figure 6.6: An example of the analysis result page

There are three major types of economic analysis are conducted by the tool:

• Comparison analysis
• Sensitivity analysis
• Break-even analysis

The details on what each type of analysis means, why the tool conducts each of them, and how to interpret the analysis results are discussed in the following sections.

6.1 Comparison Analysis Results

Comparison analysis is a useful analytical method that compares details that contribute to added or reduced costs and returns between production scenarios. In the case of adopting grafting technology, the added expenses of grafted transplants are considered as the adverse effects, whereas the potential added crop yield and gross returns of associated the grafting production scenario are the positive effects. This analysis provides information on whether the increased marketable fruit yield can offset the additional costs associated with the grafting production scenario.

When users view the comparison analysis results, there are three charts of analysis results. In each graph, there are two bars. The blue bar represents the non-grafting production scenario, while the organ bar represents the grafting production scenario. The three charts are:

• Net Return Comparison Chart: This chart compares the net return between two different production scenarios. When users move the mouse to point the bar, it shows the net return under various production scenarios.

  For example, in Figure 6.7, it shows the net return under the non-grafting production scenario is $28,062.90, while the net return under the grafting production scenario is $36,052.36.

  

  Figure 6.7: An example of the comparison analysis for net return under non-grafting and grafting production scenarios

• Revenue Comparison Chart: This chart compares the revenue between two different production scenarios. When users move the mouse to point the bar, it shows the revenue under various production scenarios.

  For example, in Figure 6.8, it shows the revenue under the non-grafting production scenario is $32,156.20, while the revenue under the grafting production scenario is $41,107.04.

  

  Figure 6.8: An example of the comparison analysis for revenue under non-grafting and grafting production scenarios

• Cost Comparison Chart: This chart compares the cost between two different production scenarios at various production stages. When users move the mouse to point the bar, it shows the specific cost under various production scenarios.

  For example, in Figure 6.9, it shows the cost under the non-grafting production scenario at harvesting stage is $3,022.68, while the cost under the grafting production scenario at harvesting stage is $3,864.06.

  

  Figure 6.9: An example of the comparison analysis for production cost at various production stage under non-grafting and grafting production scenarios

6.2 Sensitivity Analysis Results

Sensitivity analysis is an economic analysis that calculates how net return changes under various scenarios in correspondence to a factor. It shows the relative importance of the investigated factors and is increasingly used in the agricultural and environmental science fields for decision making at a local scale.

The tool conducts sensitivity analysis to reveal how vegetable farmers’ net return changes under the non-grafting and the grafting production scenarios corresponding to a factor change, such as grafted transplant price change. Three types of sensitivity analyses are conducted in the tool.

6.2.1 Different Crop Selling Price Scenarios⁴

In this type of sensitivity analysis, the tool analyzes how the net return responds to the change of crop selling price under non-grafting and grafting production scenarios.

The bar graph shows the net return of the farm may receive in different crop price selling levels under various production conditions (non-grafting versus grafting production conditions) on average. When users move the mouse to point the bar, it shows the net return under the specific scenario.

For example, in Figure 6.10, it shows that when the crop selling price is $0.35/ea, the net return under the non-grafting production scenario is $18,237.39, while the net return under the grafting production scenario is $23,491.88.

Figure 6.10: An example of the sensitivity analysis for various crop selling price scenarios

6.2.2 Different Transplant Price Scenarios

In this type of sensitivity analysis, the tool analyzes how the net return responds to the change of grafted transplant price under non-grafting and grafting production scenarios.

The bar graph shows the net return of the farm may receive in different grafted transplant price levels under various production conditions (non-grafting versus grafting production conditions) on average. When users move the mouse to point the bar, it shows the net return under the specific scenario.

For example, in Figure 6.11, it shows that when the grafted transplant price is $0.35/ea, the net return under the non-grafting production scenario is $28,062.90, while the net return under the grafting production scenario is $35,991.25.

Figure 6.11: An example of the sensitivity analysis for various grafted transplant price scenarios

6.2.3 Different Yield Scenarios

In this type of sensitivity analysis, the tool analyzes how the net return responds to the change of grafted yield under non-grafting and grafting production scenarios.

The bar graph shows the net return of the farm may receive in different grafted yield levels under various production conditions (non-grafting versus grafting production conditions) on average. When users move the mouse to point the bar, it shows the net return under the specific scenario.

For example, in Figure 6.12, it shows that when the grafted yield is x% of non-grafted yield, the net return under the non-grafting production scenario is $28,062.90, while the net return under the grafting production scenario is $23,492.88.

Figure 6.12: An example of the sensitivity analysis for various grafted yield scenarios

6.3 Break-Even Analysis Results

Break-even analysis is an analysis that calculates the threshold of a factor (e.g., transplant price) when two production scenarios generate the same net return.

The tool conducts break-even analysis to reveal the threshold of a factor (e.g., grafted transplant price) associated with grafting production scenario which enables the grafting production scenario to generate the same net return as the non-grafting production scenario. Two types of break-even analysis are conducted in the tool.

6.3.1 Willingness To Pay (WTP) for Transplant in Various Crop Selling Price Scenarios⁵

In this type of break-even analysis, the tool calculates the maximum amount of money the vegetable growers should pay for grafted transplants to make the grafting production practice generates the same net return as the non-grafting production practice under various crop selling price scenarios.

The line graph shows the maximum amount of money vegetable growers should pay for grafted transplants under various crop selling price scenarios.

For example, in Figure 6.13, it shows that if the crop selling price is $0.35/lb, vegetable producers’ net return under the grafting production scenario is the same as the non-grafting production scenario when they pay $12.13/ea for grafted transplant price.

Figure 6.13: An example of the break-even analysis for grafted transplant price under various crop selling price scenarios

6.3.2 Expected Yield in Various Crop Selling Price Scenarios⁶

In this type of break-even analysis, the tool calculates how much yield of the vegetable farm should have using the grafting production practice so that it generates the same net return as the non-grafting production practice under various crop selling price scenarios.

The line graph shows the yield of the vegetable farm should have for grafting production practice under various crop selling price scenarios.

For example, in Figure 6.14, it shows that if the crop selling price is $0.35/lb, vegetable producers’ net return under the grafting production scenario is the same as the non-grafting production scenario when grafting production’s yield is 103.27% of non-grafting production’s yield.

Figure 6.14: An example of the break-even analysis for grafting production yield under various crop selling price scenarios

7 Customize the Budget Sheet

The tool allows users to conduct the economic analysis that is specific for users’ own farm by modifying the budget sheet. To modifying the budget sheet, users may - First, click the “Customize Budget Sheet” button located at the bottom of the section (Figure 7.1) of economic analysis results pages.

Figure 7.1: “Customize Budget Sheet” button

• Second, click the name of the budget sheet to navigate to the budget sheet corresponding to the production stage that users would like to modify (Figure 7.2).

  

  Figure 7.2: Navigation to the budget sheet that users would like to modify

• Third, modify the budget sheet. Once users finished modifying, click the “Submit” button for the budget sheet that users just modified (Figure 7.3).

  

  Figure 7.3: Modify the budget sheet

• Lastly, once users finish all modifications, click the “Go Back” button to view new economic analysis results at experiment results pages (Figure 7.4).

  

  Figure 7.4: “Go Back” button in budget sheet page

8 Manage Economic Analysis History

One advantage of creating an account in the tool is to allow users to manage their economic analysis history (Figure 8.1). They may save the economic analysis results and view those results later when they login to the account (For other benefits of creating an account in the tool, please read Section 4.1).

8.1 Save Economic Analysis Result

Once logged-in users finish viewing economic analysis results, they are directed to a new web page. In the web page, users are asked whether they would like to save the analysis results for later viewing.

• If users would like to save the economic analysis results, they need to click the "Save the Result button.

• If users would not like to save the analysis results and conduct the economic analysis again, they need to click the Restart Analysis button.

Figure 8.1: Save economic analysis page

8.2 View Economic Analysis History

To access the history of saved analysis results, Users may first click their “User Name” at the top-right corner of web pages once they login to the account, then select “Analysis History” from the drop-down list (Figure 8.2).

Figure 8.2: Access to economic analysis history

Alternatively, Users may access the economic analysis history by first click their “User Name” at the top-right corner of web pages once they login to the account. Then click “Account” from the drop-down list. Finally, Select "Analysis History in the new web page (Figure 8.3).

Figure 8.3: An alternative way to access to economic analysis history

Once users choose "Analysis History, they will be directed to a new web page, which provides a summary of economic analysis history for the user (Figure 8.4).

Figure 8.4: An example of economic analysis history page

To view the details of one economic analysis history, users may click the “View” button (Figure 8.5), which located at the most right column of economic analysis history table.

Figure 8.5: “View” button at economic analysis history page

After clicking the “View” button, users are directed to a new web page to read the details of historical analysis results (Figure 8.6).

Figure 8.6: An example of the economic analysis history detail page

If users would like to learn more about the meaning of the analysis, they may click the question mark next to the name of the analysis. For example, if users are interested in learning the meaning of partial budget comparison analysis, they may click the question mark next to the Comparison Analysis (Figure 8.7).

Figure 8.7: An example of the help button for the partial comparison budget analysis

A pop-up window will be shown the explanation of the partial budget analysis and the instruction on how to interpret the results (An example can be found in Figure 8.8)

Figure 8.8: An example of the help page for the partial comparison budget analysis

When users finish viewing the details of the economic analysis results, they may go back the summary of economic analysis history page (Figure 8.4) by clicking the “Go Back” at the top of the page (Figure 8.9)

Figure 8.9: The “Go Back” button at economic analysis history details page

9 Report New Experiment Result

To enable vegetable producers’ conduct economic analysis using the most recent data, the tool allows vegetable researchers and extension agents to upload their most recent experimental data to the tool’s database. To upload new experiment’s results to the tool, researchers and extension agents need to create an account and login in the account (For details, please read Section 4.2 and Section 4.3).

After successful login in the account, researchers or extension agents may click the button “Adding Experiment Result” located at the top of web pages (Figure 9.1).

Figure 9.1: The “Adding Experiment Result” button

At the experiment result adding page, researchers or extension agents may report new experiment results by following two methods.

• Upload experiment result file (Recommended)

  • First, download and fill in the excel template of reporting experiment results. You may download the excel template by clicking the here at the next line of the file upload field (Figure 9.2). If you plan to upload a journal article or technical report that includes the experiment results, please skip this step.

    

    Figure 9.2: Download the template of adding experiment result

  • Second, upload the filled file excel template or any other types of files into the tool by clicking the "Choose File: button (Figure 9.3).

    

    Figure 9.3: Upload experiment result file

  • Third, click the Submit button at the bottom of the page (Figure 9.4). The Submit button is located at the very bottom of the page, please scroll down the window to find it.

    

    Figure 9.4: “Submit” button in adding Experiment Result page

• Type experiment result file

  • First, fill in the form at the add experiment result page directly
  • Second, click the Submit button at the bottom of the page (Figure 9.4).

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1. PhD student, Food and Resource Economics Department, University of Florida, yfnian@ufl.edu, https://yfnian.github.io/↩︎

2. Professor, Food and Resource Economics Department, University of Florida, zfgao@ufl.edu, https://fred.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty/zhifenggao/↩︎

3. Professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, zxin@ufl.edu, https://hos.ifas.ufl.edu/people/on-campus-faculty/xin-zhao/ ↩︎

4. In this analysis, the tool assumes users will receive the same crop selling price (grafted crop selling price) either under grafting or no-grafting production scenarios↩︎

5. In this analysis, the tool assumes users will receive the same crop selling price (grafted crop selling price) either under grafting or no-grafting production scenarios↩︎

6. In this analysis, the tool assumes users will receive the same crop selling price (grafted crop selling price) either under grafting or no-grafting production scenarios↩︎