Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T15:45:37.407Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Experimental Error and the Field-Plot Technique with Potatoes (With One Diagram and One Text-figure.)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

R. J. Kalamkar
Affiliation:
(Statistical Department, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden.)

Extract

The present investigation consists of the statistical analysis of a uniformity trial with potatoes conducted by Dr Kirk. In this study the standard error in per cent. of the mean decreased slightly with the increase in the widths up to plots 5 rows wide, but any further increase in the width of the plot resulted in the higher standard error. The fertility contour map of the field is given in Fig. 1 to show graphically the effect of soil heterogeneity on the yield. The increased size of the plot resulted in the decreased efficiency in the use of the land when the entire plot was harvested; in other words, given a piece of land of certain size, it is advantageous to have a greater replication of smaller plots than a smaller number of larger plots. Four-row plots proved to be the most efficient when the border rows are discarded. The superiority of long and narrow plots over shorter and wider ones is demonstrated.

With the greatest pleasure I acknowledge my indebtedness to Dr Kirk, who supplied me with the data, to Dr Fisher for his valuable suggestions and to Dr J. Wishart for useful advice and criticism.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1932

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

(1)Kirk, L. E.Field plot technique with potatoes with special reference to the Latin square. Scientific Agriculture (1929), 9, 719.Google Scholar
(2)Fisher, R. A. and Mackenzie, W. A.Studies in crop variation. II. The manurial response of different potato varieties. J. Agric. Sci. (1923), 13, 311.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(3)Fisher, R. A.Statistical Metliods for Research Workers (1930). Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, 3rd edition.Google Scholar
(4)Wilson, J. and Chittenden, F. J.Some further experiments with potatoes. J. Roy. Hort. Soc. (1919), 44, 83.Google Scholar
(5)Myers, C. H. and Perry, F. R.Analysis and interpretation of data obtained in comparative tests of potatoes. J. Amer. Soc. Agron. (1923), 15, 239.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(6)Musgrave, G. W.Depression of check row yields by adjoining high yielding plot rows in potatoes. J. Amer. Soc. Agron. (1924), 16, 633.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(7)Stewart, F. C.Experiments with potatoes. Part II. Row competition and border effect. N.Y. State Agric. Exp. St. Bull. (1927), 518.Google Scholar
(8)Brown, B. A.Plot competition with potatoes. J. Amer. Soc. Agron. (1922), 14, 257.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(9)Mercer, W. B. and Hall, A. D.The experimental error of field trials. J. Agric. Sci. (1911), 4, 107.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(10)Kiesselbach, T. A.Competition as a source of error in comparative corn yield. J. Amer. Soc. Agric. (1923), 15, 199.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(11)Day, J. W.The relation of size, shape and number of replications of plats to probable error in field experimentation. J. Amer. Soc. Agron. (1920), 12, 100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(12)Westover, K. C.The influence of plot size and replication on experimental error in field trials with potatoes. West Vir. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. (1924), 189.Google Scholar
(13), Christidis, Basil, G.The importance of the shape of plots in field experimentation. J. Agric. Sci. (1931), 21, 14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar