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The efficiency of incomplete block designs in National List and Recommended List cereal variety trials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

H. D. Patterson
Affiliation:
ARC Unit of Statistics, Edinburgh
E. A. Hunter
Affiliation:
ARC Unit of Statistics, Edinburgh

Summary

Use of generalized lattice designs instead of complete block designs in 244 cereal variety trials grown in the U.K. since 1975 has resulted in an average reduction of 30% in variances of varietal yield differences. The lattice designs were most effective when the number of varieties was more than 50 but worthwhile reductions in variance, averaging about 24%, were obtained in trials with fewer than 20 varieties. The data also provide guidance on the choice of block size and the potential for improvement by neighbour methods.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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