DIAGNOSTIC DATABASE DEVELOPMENT - TOWARDS EXPERT SYSTEMS ON THE WEB

Despite the explosion of resources on the World-Wide-Web (Web) over the last few years, there are still relatively few sites that provide easily-accessible diagnostic information on horticultural subjects. As such, there is a need for Web-based resources that provide detailed information on specific subjects that can be accessed at any place and time. A diagnostic pictorial database called Tospovirus (http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/hort /tospovirus/) has been developed for members of the ornamental industry, (e.g. extension and pest-scouting professionals, greenhouse and nursery growers, landscape contractors and others) about this economically important disease. Since the tospovirus virus complex has a wide host range and diverse symptomatology, the availability of timely information is of utmost importance to these people, to allow quick implementation of diagnosis and control measures. Tospovirus can be searched by host species and symptom. Furthermore, it incorporates tutorial capabilities (e.g. hyperlinked glossaries to technical terms) and pages that have been designed to include expert diagnostic advice, together with methods of control, keyed to the diagnosis. With these capabilities, this database will be a powerful method to educate and inform people in the industry. This paper outlines the development process of Tospovirus, to give readers an idea of the tools, personnel and decisions used in creating this database.