Field plot technique studies in castor

Abstract

Optimum size and shape of plot has been worked out from uniformity trail on castor (variety GCH-6) at Dry Farming Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Jamkhambhala during kharif 2003. The seed yield data of 1200 plots (basic unit 0.90 m x 0.90 m) were recorded and analyzed to find out the optimum size and shape of the plot using maximum curvature method. The results revealed that coefficient of variation (CV %) per unit area decreased with the increase in size of plot. It could be concluded that the plot size of 15 basic unit (i.e. 4.5 m x 2.7 m = 12.15 sq. m.) consisting of three rows and five plants in each row as the optimum plot size for conducting field experiment in castor at Jamkhambhalia. For the yield data, the value of b, Smith's coefficient of heterogeneity, varied from 0.57 to 0.92 for different plot size. The equation obtained was Y= 43.47 X^{0.3489}. The R^2 between plot size and CV was computed as 0.9537.