Uniformity Trials for Determination of Optimum Size and Shape of Plots/Blocks for Experimentation with <I>Acacia catechu</I>

Abstract

An uniformity trial for determination of optimum size and shape of plots and blocks was conducted on 8 years old plants of Acacia catechu (spacing 2m × 2m) at the Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, Chandigarh. Height and GBH data of all the individual plants were recorded in 24 × 24 compartment and analysed for determination of optimum plot and block sizes for conducting field experiments. A plot of size 8-12 plants appears to be optimum. Smith equations fitted well in the CV and plot size data and indicated the neighboring plots to be uncorrelated. For a fixed size of plot, its shape did not indicate any consistent effect on CV. In general, blocks were found to be more efficient than without blocking arrangement.