Abstract
Abstract: The objective of this work was to determine the optimal size of experimental plots for the evaluation of agronomic characteristics and fruit quality of papaya, by the linear model of plateau response, under soil and climatic conditions of the Recôncavo Baiano region, in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The experiment consisted of a uniformity test, with the papaya lineage L78, at 3×2 m spacing, in 16 rows with 22 plants, totaling 352 plants and 2,112 m2 useful area. Each plant was considered as a basic unit, and 11 forms of pre-established plots, with rectangular and row formats, were obtained. The agronomic characteristics and fruit quality were evaluated in the plots. Optimal plot size varied greatly among the variables related to agronomic characteristics, with a greater participation of the variable number of marketable fruit per plant at 14 months (16 basic units). The optimal plot size for the evaluation of the agronomic characteristics and fruit quality in papaya is eight experimental units, with 48 m2 area, at a spacing of 3 m between rows and 2 m between papaya plants.
Highlights
IntroductionThe Caricaceae family has a great economic importance in the production of commercial fruits, in which Carica papaya L. stands
The Northeastern of Brazil accounts for 59.45% of the national papaya production, for which the state of Bahia contributes with 34.89%, followed by the states of Espírito Santo (29.43%) and Ceará (10.93%) (IBGE, 2017)
In the search for a better performance of papaya cultivations, researchers have pointed out the need of experiments for the genetic improvement, and the launching of new cultivars with desirable agronomic characteristics that meet the demands of the domestic and foreign markets (Oliveira et al, 2010; Dantas et al, 2015; Luz et al, 2015)
Summary
The Caricaceae family has a great economic importance in the production of commercial fruits, in which Carica papaya L. stands. Important aspects related to experimental planning should be considered, in order to obtain reliable research results, such as the optimal size of the plot to be adopted (Cargnelutti Filho et al, 2015). The determination of the plot size is a relevant matter to use of the experimental design, since its optimal definition attaches a greater precision to the research. An optimal size and shape allows of the detection of significant differences between treatments and the reduction of experimental errors (Donato et al, 2008)
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