Standardization of field plot technique for cashew

Abstract

The present study deals with a plot technique for conducting field experiments on a biologically heterogeneous tree crop cashew by applying a well known result in sampling theory that the clusters formed with negative intraclass correlation are relatively more efficient Cashew being a perennial crop are sensitive to variation in fertility status of soil in which they grow, susceptable to mishaps, long gestation period etc Because of their large size and long life they are considerably different from annuals or field crops as to need special considerations in designing experiments with them. The experimenter is always faced with the dlffiiculty of getting uniform experimental trees on account of the biological variation present among the individual trees. The difficulty in getting experimental trees with uniform yield or some other measurable characteristic of the tree and some considerations in overcoming this problem is discussed. Achieving greater homogeneity between plots within a block by creating greater heterogeneity within plots is found to be a better field plot technique for experiments with adult trees on cashew. Similar techniques are also applicable to other plantation crops which are subjected to high biological variation.