Paper · 1972 · Agronomy Journal

Estimates of Optimum Plot Size and Shape from Uniformity Data in Burley Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)1

C. L. Gupton

8
claims
16
verbatim quotes
3
citations
1
research areas
—
Not open access

Abstract

Abstract To obtain estimates of optimum plot size and shape for burley tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.), we conducted uniformity trials during 1969 and 1970 at Greeneville, Tennessee, and during 1970 at Spring Hill, Tennessee. Each trial consisted of 3,000 plants which were subdivided into 600 basic units of 5 plants each. Data from each basic unit were recorded for yield of cured leaf, number of days to flower, number of harvestable leaves, plant height, and the length and width of the fifth leaf from the top of the plant. Hatheway's “convenient plot size” and Smith's soil heterogeneity index methods were used to estimate optimum plot size. The results from Hatheway's method suggest that the greatest precision would be gained by minimizing the number of plants per plot and maximizing the number of replications in the experiment. Because 25 to 30 plants are required for visual evaluation of burley tobacco, it appears that a convenient plot size for yield and quality trials is 30 plants with the number of replications adjusted to the desired difference to be detected or the maximum number permitted by space and cost of production. We found that most other agronomic characters may be measured with acceptable precision on 10 to 20 plants per plot. For percent total alkaloids, precision is expected to increase rapidly with either an increased number of plants per plot or replications in the experiment. The optimum size of plot for yield computed by Smith's minimum cost procedure ranged from 9 to 179 plants. These results do not appear as useful as those from Hatheway's method. Our data suggest that one‐row plots may be slightly better than two‐row plots. Taking into consideration the optimum number of plants per plot and shape, we concluded that single‐row plots containing 30 plants each are most desirable for yield and quality trials. Smaller one‐row plots with increased replication may be more efficient for obtaining genetic information relative to specific characters.

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Claims 8

Recommendationauthor interpretationoriginal resultbasis n/a

Claim · model-written summary

Single-row plots containing 30 plants each are most desirable for yield and quality trials.

Taxon
burley tobaccoe0
Outcome
plots containing 30 plants eache1

Verbatim

e0

“To obtain estimates of optimum plot size and shape for burley tobacco”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 9–78 · show in text ↑
e1

“plots containing 30 plants each are most desirable for yield and quality trials”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1782–1861 · show in text ↑
Recommendationauthor interpretationoriginal resultbasis n/a

Claim · model-written summary

A convenient plot size for yield and quality trials is 30 plants.

Taxon
burley tobaccoe0
Outcome
convenient plot size for yield and quality trialse2
Value
30 plantse2

Verbatim

e0

“To obtain estimates of optimum plot size and shape for burley tobacco”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 9–78 · show in text ↑
e2

“it appears that a convenient plot size for yield and quality trials is 30 plants”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 919–999 · show in text ↑
Observationobservedoriginal resultmeasured

Claim · model-written summary

Most other agronomic characters may be measured with acceptable precision on 10 to 20 plants per plot.

Taxon
burley tobaccoe0
Outcome
most other agronomic characters may be measured with acceptable precisione3
Value
10 to 20 plants per plote3

Verbatim

e0

“To obtain estimates of optimum plot size and shape for burley tobacco”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 9–78 · show in text ↑
e3

“We found that most other agronomic characters may be measured with acceptable precision on 10 to 20 plants per plot”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1147–1262 · show in text ↑
Associationobservedoriginal resultmeasured

Claim · model-written summary

Minimizing plants per plot and maximizing replications gives the greatest precision.

Taxon
burley tobaccoe0
Treatment
minimizing the number of plants per plote4
Outcome
precisione4
Direction
greateste4

Verbatim

e0

“To obtain estimates of optimum plot size and shape for burley tobacco”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 9–78 · show in text ↑
e4

“the greatest precision would be gained by minimizing the number of plants per plot and maximizing the number of replications in the experiment”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 697–839 · show in text ↑
Associationauthor interpretationoriginal resultmeasured

Claim · model-written summary

For percent total alkaloids, precision is expected to increase with more plants per plot or more replications.

Taxon
burley tobaccoe0
Treatment
an increased number of plants per plot or replicationse5
Outcome
precisione5
Direction
increasee5
Qualifier
For percent total alkaloidse5

Verbatim

e0

“To obtain estimates of optimum plot size and shape for burley tobacco”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 9–78 · show in text ↑
e5

“For percent total alkaloids, precision is expected to increase rapidly with either an increased number of plants per plot or replications in the experiment”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1264–1419 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectauthor interpretationoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

One-row plots may be slightly better than two-row plots.

Taxon
burley tobaccoe0
Treatment
one‐row plotse6
Outcome
slightly bettere6
Direction
bettere6
Comparator
two‐row plotse6

Verbatim

e0

“To obtain estimates of optimum plot size and shape for burley tobacco”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 9–78 · show in text ↑
e6

“Our data suggest that one‐row plots may be slightly better than two‐row plots”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1599–1676 · show in text ↑
Observationobservedoriginal resultsimulated

Claim · model-written summary

Smith's minimum cost procedure gives optimum plot sizes for yield from 9 to 179 plants.

Taxon
burley tobaccoe0
Outcome
optimum size of plot for yielde7
Value
9 to 179 plantse7
Qualifier
computed by Smith's minimum cost proceduree7

Verbatim

e0

“To obtain estimates of optimum plot size and shape for burley tobacco”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 9–78 · show in text ↑
e7

“The optimum size of plot for yield computed by Smith's minimum cost procedure ranged from 9 to 179 plants”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1421–1526 · show in text ↑
Recommendationauthor interpretationoriginal resultbasis n/a

Claim · model-written summary

Smaller one-row plots with increased replication may be more efficient for obtaining genetic information on specific characters.

Taxon
burley tobaccoe0
Outcome
more efficient for obtaining genetic information relative to specific characterse2

Verbatim

e0

“To obtain estimates of optimum plot size and shape for burley tobacco”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 9–78 · show in text ↑
e2

“may be more efficient for obtaining genetic information relative to specific characters”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1912–1999 · show in text ↑