Plot Size in Mushroom Cropping Experiments

Abstract

The effect on crop variability of growing in different sizes of containers was tested in three experiments by using two sizes of tray. The basal areas of the trays were 1 and 6 sq. ft. and the volumes of compost in them ⅓ and 4 cu. ft. respectively. Plots comprised small trays grouped in threes, and large trays used singly. Provided the small trays were adequately watered the relative efficiency per unit area, calculated according to a derived formula, was approximately six times that of large trays in one experiment and three times in another. There was little to choose in practical convenience between the two sizes of tray considered. For many investigations with mushrooms, the authors recommend the use of small trays of approximately 1 sq. ft. basal area, in groups of one to eight to form plots.