Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to compare three methods of estimating the optimum plot size to evaluate the fresh matter productivity of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), slender leaf rattlebox (Crotalaria ochroleuca), and showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis). Twenty-seven uniformity trials were carried out with pearl millet, slender leaf rattlebox, and showy rattlebox cultivated alone and intercropped. Fresh matter productivity was evaluated in 972 basic experimental units (BEU) of 1 m × 1 m (36 BEU per trial). The optimum plot size was determined using the methods modified maximum curvature, linear response with plateau model, and quadratic response with plateau model. The optimum plot size differs between methods and decreases in the following order: quadratic response with plateau model (9.94 m2), linear response with plateau model (7.41 m2), and modified maximum curvature (3.49 m2). The optimum plot size to evaluate the fresh matter productivity of pearl millet, slender leaf rattlebox, and showy rattlebox cultivated alone or intercropped is 7.41 m2. This size could be used as a reference for future experiments.
Highlights
Soil cover species, such as pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), slender leaf rattlebox (Crotalaria ochroleuca), and showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis) have been studied regarding different aspects, such as the soil cover rate, decomposition rate, nutrient content, and phytomass production (PASSOS et al, 2017; FERREIRA et al, 2019; PFÜLLER et al, 2019)
Plot size has been investigated in the common cultivar of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) (BURIN et al, 2015, 2016) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) (FACCO et al, 2017) using the maximum curvature of the model of the coefficient of variation (PARANAÍBA; FERREIRA; MORAIS, 2009), and in C. juncea (FACCO et al, 2018) using the modified maximum curvature method (MEIER; LESSMAN, 1971)
Twenty-seven uniformity trials with pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) of the cultivar BRS 1501 (M), slender leaf rattlebox (Crotalaria ochroleuca) of the common cultivar (CO), and showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis) (CS) were conducted in an experimental area located at the geographic coordinates 29°42′ S and 53° 49′ W and 95 m of altitude
Summary
Soil cover species, such as pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), slender leaf rattlebox (Crotalaria ochroleuca), and showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis) have been studied regarding different aspects, such as the soil cover rate, decomposition rate, nutrient content, and phytomass production (PASSOS et al, 2017; FERREIRA et al, 2019; PFÜLLER et al, 2019). The effects on soil chemical and physical properties (PASSOS et al, 2017; SOUSA et al, 2017; ASCARI et al, 2020), soybean nematodes (DEBIASI et al, 2016), soybean and corn productivity (DEBIASI et al, 2016; ASCARI et al, 2020) have been investigated These experiments were carried out in plots of 12 m2 (PFÜLLER et al, 2019), m2 (FERREIRA et al, 2019), m2 (ASCARI et al, 2020), 50 m2 (PASSOS et al, 2017), 60 m2 (DEBIASI et al, 2016), and 150 m2 (SOUSA et al, 2017). An important aspect when planning the experiment for a given crop is to define the optimum plot size to minimize the experimental error and, increase the precision of inferences. This size can be calculated using data from uniformity trials (blank experiments) of this same crop by different methods. Plot size has been investigated in the common cultivar of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) (BURIN et al, 2015, 2016) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) (FACCO et al, 2017) using the maximum curvature of the model of the coefficient of variation (PARANAÍBA; FERREIRA; MORAIS, 2009), and in C. juncea (FACCO et al, 2018) using the modified maximum curvature method (MEIER; LESSMAN, 1971)
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