Alternative methods to determine plot sizes for tree crops. a case study from coconut data

Abstract

Two methodologies are pooposed to determine the most efficient plot size for tree crops using data from experiments based on randomized complete block designs. Both methods can be generalized for data from any balanced design. The merits and demerits of these methods are discussed. The methods are illustrated using the data sets of long-term field ecperiments at the Coconut Research Institute, Sri Lanka. The results show that efficient plot size in field experiments for coconut for a wide range of agroecological regions is four or six palms.