PLOT TECHNIQUE IN LUCERN
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Date
1990
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Publisher
AAU, Anand
Abstract
The uniformity trial on lucern (variety Anand 2) was conducted during the years 1988-89 and 1989-90 for collecting green fodder yield data to workout optimum size and shape of the experimental plot, to compare efficiency of different experimental designs and to develop statistical technique(s) for the estimation of total green fodder yield per unit area using partial harvest data. The cut-wise yield data of 1200 plots (basic units; the size of each basic unit was 1 m x 1 m i.e. 1 m length x 4 rows) and 400 plots collected during the first and second year respectively were subjected to statistical analysis. In all six cuts were obtained during both the years. The results revealed the followings. The variability as judged by coefficient of variation per unit area (C.V.%) decreased with the advancement of the crop age upto the fourth cut, thereafter it increased. The sixth cut had maximum variability. The C.V. % decreased with the increase in size of the plot. This relationship when expressed in equation form indicated that the predictability of C.V. % was high (R2 > 0.93) when the variable plot size was transformed to log scale. The rate of reduction in C.V. % was more with the increase in width of the plot (i.e. no. of rows) than that with the increase in length of the plot. Ten units size plot (1 m x 10 m) was found optimum for field experiments on lucern. The estimates of soil heterogeneity index, b', showed large variation from cut to cut in both the years indicating the need of in depth study on casual variables. For any given size of the plot, the block of size 10 plots had comparatively lower C.V. % than block of size 5 plots suggesting that the block size influences the precision of the estimate. The block, shape also influenced the precision. The Simple and Balanced lattice designs were comparatively more efficient than Randomized Block design for field experiments on lucern. Thus use of confounding concept in field experiments on lucern crop could improve the efficiency of the treatment estimates. The correlation coefficients between yield of the individual cuts and the total yield and contribution of individual cuts to the total yield were influenced by the seasonal variation. Hence use of prediction model for estimating total green fodder yield on the basis of single cut yield or total yield of two or three adjacent cuts could not be advocated. Component Sampling and Stratified random Sampling proved efficient in comparison to simple random sampling for the estimation of total green fodder yield per unit area on the basis of partial harvest data. Component Sampling was better than Stratified random sampling, while doubling sampling was not recommended for estimating total yield on the basis of partial harvests which were influenced by seasonal fluctuation. From the present investigation, following recommendations ' could be made for field experimentation/survey on lucern crop (variety Anand 2) to be studied under Middle Gujarat condition. - The net plot size for field experiments should be 10 sq.m. covering 40 rows (spaced 25 cm. apart) each of one meter length. For agronomic convenience, 20 rows each of two meters length i.e. 10 sq.m can be taken as net plot. This shape is slightly less efficient than former shape. - While planning field experiments, confounding concept should be used (wherever feasible) for improving efficiency of the treatment estimates. - Component sampling should be used for the estimation of total green fodder yield on the basis of partial harvests.
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Keywords
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS, AGRICULTURE, TECHNIQUE