ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to fit the Logistic growth model for plant height and number of nodes of two buckwheat cultivars at sowing times, as well as comparing the cultivars and sowing times. Twenty uniformity trials were carried out, formed by the combination of two buckwheat cultivars (IPR91-Baili and IPR92-Altar), sown at five times, for two consecutive years. Evaluations were carried out twice a week throughout the vegetative stage until the end of flowering. In each evaluation, five plants were randomly collected from each trial to measure plant height and count the number of nodes on the main stem. The logistic model was fitted with the values of the five plants of each evaluation. Model parameters were estimated, as well as their respective confidence intervals. The goodness of fit of the model was assessed through the coefficient of determination, Akaike information criterion, and residual standard deviation. The plant height and number of nodes of buckwheat, cultivars IPR91-Baili and IPR92-Altar, were described by the Logistic model. The Logistic model satisfactorily describes the growth of buckwheat plants, and a specific fit considering each cultivar and sowing time is needed.

ABSTRACT: It is important to determine the number of plants to be evaluated to allow accurate inferences about the traits under evaluation. Investigating the linear relations among traits is important for identifying traits for indirect selection. So, the objectives of this study were to determine the sample size (number of plants) necessary to estimate the means of forage pea traits and to investigate the relations among the traits. Experiments were carried out in 2021 with three sowing dates (May 3, May 26 and July 13). Five hundred plants were randomly sampled, 100 plants in each of the five evaluation dates (June 25, August 30, July 24, September 17, September 16). In these 500 plants, the traits plant height, number of branches, number of nodes, number of leaves, number of pods, fresh matter of leaves, fresh matter of stems, fresh matter of pods, fresh matter of shoots, dry matter of leaves, dry matter of stems, dry matter of pods, and dry matter of shoots, were evaluated. The sample size was calculated to estimate the means of these traits, based on Student’s t-distribution, and the relations among traits were investigated through correlation and path analysis. In an experiment, to estimate the means of these 13 traits of forage pea, with an estimation error of approximately 10% of the mean, 99 plants per treatment should be sampled. The numbers of pods and leaves have a positive linear relations with fresh and dry matter of shoots.

RESUMO: É importante dimensionar o número de plantas a serem avaliadas para possibilitar inferências precisas sobre os caracteres em avaliação. Investigar as relações lineares entre caracteres é importante para a identificação de caracteres para a seleção indireta. Assim, os objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar o tamanho de amostra (número de plantas) necessário para a estimação da média de caracteres de ervilha forrageira e investigar as relações entre os caracteres. Foram conduzidos experimentos, no ano de 2021, em três datas de semeadura (03 de maio, 26 de maio e 13 de julho). Foram amostradas, aleatoriamente, 500 plantas, sendo 100 plantas em cada uma das cinco datas de avaliação (25 de junho, 30 de agosto, 24 de julho, 17 de setembro e 16 de setembro). Nessas 500 plantas avaliaram-se os caracteres altura de planta, número de ramificações, número de nós, número de folhas, número de legumes, matéria fresca de folhas, matéria fresca de caule, matéria fresca de legumes, matéria fresca de parte aérea, matéria seca de folhas, matéria seca de caule, matéria seca de legumes e matéria seca de parte aérea. Foi calculado o tamanho de amostra para a estimação da média desses caracteres, com base na distribuição t de Student e investigada a relação entre os caracteres por meio de análises de correlação e de trilha. Em um experimento, para a estimação da média desses 13 caracteres de ervilha forrageira, com erro de estimação de aproximadamente 10% da média, devem ser amostradas 99 plantas por tratamento. Os números de legumes e de folhas têm relação linear positiva com as matérias fresca e seca de parte aérea.

ABSTRACT Investigation of multicollinearity allows parameters in multivariate analysis to be estimated with higher precision and with biological interpretation. In order to generate reliable estimates of the degree of multicollinearity, it is necessary to use appropriate sample size. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine the sample size (number of plants) necessary to estimate the indicators of the degree of multicollinearity - condition number (CN), correlation matrix determinant (DET), and variance inflation factor (VIF) - in morphological traits of rye and to verify the variability of the sample size between the indicators. Five and three uniformity trials were conducted with the cultivars BRS Progresso and Temprano, respectively. Eight morphological traits were evaluated in 780 plants in eight trials. For each trial, 22 cases were selected among the 28 formed by the combination of eight traits, taken six by six, totaling 176 cases. In each case, 197 sample sizes were planned (20, 25, 30, ..., 1,000 plants) and in each size 2,000 resampling procedures with replacement were performed, CN, DET, and VIF were determined and the average among 2,000 estimates was calculated. For each case and indicator (CN, DET, and VIF), the sample size was determined through three models: modified maximum curvature method and linear and quadratic segmented models with plateau response. There is variability between sample sizes between indicators, with larger sample sizes required for DET, followed by CN and VIF, in that order, with at least 180, 116 and 85 plants, respectively.

RESUMO A investigação da multicolinearidade permite que parâmetros em análises multivariadas sejam estimados com maior precisão e com interpretação biológica. Para ter confiabilidade nas estimativas do grau de multicolinearidade, é necessário utilizar adequado tamanho de amostra. Assim, os objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar o tamanho de amostra (número de plantas) necessário para a estimação dos indicadores do grau de multicolinearidade - número de condição (NC), determinante da matriz de correlação (DET) e fator de inflação da variância (FIV) -em caracteres morfológicos de centeio e verificar a variabilidade do tamanho de amostra entre os indicadores. Foram conduzidos cinco e três ensaios de uniformidade com as cultivares BRS Progresso e Temprano, respectivamente. Foram avaliados oito caracteres morfológicos em 780 plantas em oito ensaios. Para cada ensaio, foram selecionados 22 casos entre os 28 formados pela combinação de oito caracteres, tomados seis a seis, totalizando 176 casos. Para cada caso, foram planejados 197 tamanhos de amostra (20, 25, 30, ..., 1.000 plantas) e para cada tamanho foram realizadas 2.000 reamostragens, com reposição, determinados o NC, DET e FIV e calculada a média das 2.000 estimativas. Após, para cada caso e indicador, foi determinado o tamanho de amostra, por meio de três modelos: método da máxima curvatura modificado e modelos linear e quadrático segmentados com resposta em platô. Há variabilidade entre os tamanhos de amostra entre os indicadores, com necessidade de maiores tamanhos de amostra para DET, seguido de NC e FIV, nessa ordem, com no mínimo de 180, 116 e 85 plantas, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT Multicollinearity must be diagnosed in multivariate analyses. Among the indicators, the condition number can be used to quantify the degree of multicollinearity. Hence, this study sought to determine the number of measurements (trials) necessary to estimate the number of condition in linear correlation matrices between rye traits. Five uniformity trials were carried out with ‘BRS Progresso’ rye, and eight morphological traits and eight productive traits were evaluated, forming two groups. In each group of traits, six cases (combinations of traits) were planned and the multicollinearity diagnosis was performed. Repeatability analyses were performed using the following methods: analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and structural analysis, and the number of measurements (trials) was determined for different levels of precision. A higher condition number of repeatability coefficients was obtained by the principal component methods (based on correlation and variance and covariance matrices) and structural analysis based on the variance and covariance matrix. A greater number of measurements (trials) is necessary to estimate the number of conditions in productive traits compared to morphological ones. One trial is enough to efficiently estimate the condition number with a minimum accuracy of 80% in morphological and productive traits of rye, whereas at least three trials are required for 95% accuracy.

Abstract The objective of this work was to determine the sample size necessary for estimating the means of wheat (Triticum aestivum) traits, obtained through measurement, counting, and weighing. Seventeen uniformity trials were performed with 1,790 plants harvested randomly, whose following traits were evaluated: lengths of the main stem and main stem ear (measurement); number of leaves, stems, and ears (counting); and mass of fresh and dry matter of leaves, stems, and ears (weighing). The Bartlett and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests and Welch’s analysis of variance were performed. Skewness, central tendency, and variability were determined, and sample size was calculated to estimate the means of the 13 evaluated traits, considering estimation errors (semi-amplitudes of the 95% confidence interval) equal to 5, 10, 15, and 20% of the mean. There is a decrease in the sample size to estimate the means of wheat traits obtained through weighing, counting, and measuring, in this order. In an experiment to estimate the mean of wheat traits obtained by weighing, counting, and measuring with a maximum error of 10% of the mean at a 95% confidence interval, 117, 76, and 9 plants per treatment are needed, respectively.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o tamanho de amostra necessário para estimar a média de caracteres de trigo (Triticum aestivum) obtidos por meio de medição, contagem e pesagem. Dezessete ensaios de uniformidade foram feitos com 1,790 plantas colhidas aleatoriamente, cujos seguintes caracteres foram avaliados: comprimentos do colmo principal e da espiga do colmo principal (medição); número de folhas, colmos e espigas (contagem); e massa de matéria fresca e seca de folhas, colmos e espigas (pesagem). Realizaram-se os testes de Bartlett e Kolmogorov-Smirnov e a análise de variância de Welch. Determinaram-se as medidas de assimetria, tendência central e variabilidade, e calculou-se o tamanho de amostra para a estimação da média dos 13 caracteres avaliados, tendo-se considerado erros de estimação (semiamplitudes do intervalo de confiança de 95%) iguais a 5, 10, 15 e 20% da média. Há um decréscimo do tamanho de amostra para estimar a média dos caracteres de trigo obtidos por meio de pesagem, contagem e medição, nesta ordem. Em um experimento para estimar a média dos caracteres de trigo obtidos por pesagem, contagem e medição com erro máximo de 10% da média e nível de confiança de 95%, são necessárias 117, 76 e 9 plantas por tratamento, respectivamente.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar três métodos de estimação do tamanho ótimo de parcela para avaliar a matéria fresca de aveia preta (Avena strigosa Schreb), ervilhaca (Vicia sativa L.) e nabo forrageiro (Raphanus sativus L.), cultivadas em consórcio. Foram conduzidos seis ensaios de uniformidade com o consórcio de aveia preta, ervilhaca e nabo forrageiro, sendo três ensaios avaliados aos 84 dias após a semeadura e os outros três ensaios aos 119 dias após a semeadura. Foi avaliada a matéria fresca em 216 unidades experimentais básicas (36 por ensaio) de 1 m × 1 m. Foi determinado o tamanho ótimo de parcela por meio dos métodos da curvatura máxima modificado, do modelo linear de resposta com platô e do modelo quadrático de resposta com platô. O tamanho ótimo de parcela difere entre os métodos e decresce na seguinte ordem: modelo quadrático de resposta com platô (15,13 m2), modelo linear de resposta com platô (8,24 m2) e curvatura máxima modificado (5,62 m2). O tamanho ótimo de parcela para avaliar a matéria fresca de aveia preta, ervilhaca e nabo forrageiro, cultivadas em consórcio é de 15,13 m2. Esse tamanho pode ser utilizado como referência para futuros experimentos.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to compare three methods of estimating the optimal plot size to evaluate the fresh matter in black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb), common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and forage turnip (Raphanus sativus L.) intercropping. Six uniformity trials with black oat, common vetch and forage turnip intercropping were carried out. Three trials were evaluated at 84 days after sowing and the other three trials at 119 days after sowing. The fresh matter was evaluated in 216 basic experimental units (36 per trial) of 1 m × 1 m. The optimal plot size was determined using the methods of modified maximum curvature, linear response and plateau model and quadratic response and plateau model. The optimal plot size differs between the methods and decreases in the following order: quadratic response and plateau model (15.13 m2), linear response and plateau model (8.24 m2) and modified maximum curvature (5.62 m2). The optimal plot size for assessing the fresh matter of black oat, common vetch and forage turnip, grown in intercropping, is 15.13 m2. This size can be used as a reference for future experiments.

RESUMO - O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o tamanho ótimo de parcela para avaliar a massa de matéria fresca de milheto (Pennisetum glaucum L.) e de crotalária ochroleuca (Crotalaria ochroleuca) em cenários formados por combinações de números de tratamentos, números de repetições e níveis de precisão experimental. Foram conduzidos 15 ensaios de uniformidade com milheto e crotalária ochroleuca, em cultivo solteiro e em consórcio. Foi avaliada a massa de matéria fresca em 540 unidades experimentais básicas (UEB) de 1 m × 1 m (15 ensaios × 36 UEB por ensaio). Foi estimado o índice de heterogeneidade do solo de Smith (1938). Foi determinado o tamanho de parcela por meio do método de Hatheway (1961) em cenários formados pelas combinações de i tratamentos (i = 5, 10, 15 e 20), r repetições (r = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 e 8) e d níveis de precisão (d = 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18% e 20%). Para avaliar a massa de matéria fresca de milheto e de crotalária ochroleuca, em cultivo solteiro ou em consórcio, nos delineamentos inteiramente casualizado ou de blocos completos ao acaso, com 5 a 20 tratamentos e com cinco repetições, parcelas de 10 m² de área útil são suficientes para que diferenças entre tratamentos de 10% da média geral do experimento sejam consideradas significativas a 0.05 de probabilidade.

ABSTRACT - The objective of this study was to determine the optimal plot size to evaluate fresh matter in millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) and slender leaf rattlebox (Crotalaria ochroleuca), in scenarios formed by combinations of numbers of treatments, numbers of replicates, and levels of precision. Fifteen uniformity trials with millet and slender leaf rattlebox, in single cropping or intercropping, were carried out. Fresh matter was evaluated in 540 basic experimental units (BEU) of 1 m × 1 m (15 trials × 36 BEU per trial). The soil heterogeneity index of Smith (1938) was estimated. Plot size was determined by the method of Hatheway (1961) in scenarios formed by combinations of i treatments (i = 5, 10, 15 and 20), r replicates (r = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8), and d precision levels (d = 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18% and 20%). To evaluate the fresh matter of millet and slender leaf rattlebox, in single or intercropping, in experiments in completely randomized or randomized block designs, with 5 to 20 treatments and with five replicates, plots with 10 m² of usable area are sufficient for differences between treatments of 10% of the overall mean of the experiment to be considered significant at 0.05 probability level.

RESUMO Pendões de milho, com maior comprimento e maior número de ramificações acabam impedindo a passagem da radiação solar para o dossel superior da planta e atuam como dreno de fotoassimilados, sendo que, poderiam ser destinados a produção de grãos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se há divergência genética, em relação à produtividade de grãos e os caracteres de pendão entre os cultivares de milho, em três anos agrícolas. Foram avaliados 20 cultivares de milho e mensurados 11 caracteres de pendão e a produtividade de grãos. Para cada caractere, foram realizadas as análises de variância individual e conjunta. Foi realizada a análise de componentes principais, determinada a matriz da distância generalizada de Mahalanobis entre os cultivares e realizada a análise de divergência genética, por meio do método de agrupamento da ligação média entre grupo (UPGMA) e, a partir disso, foi construído o dendrograma. Para validação do agrupamento calculou-se o coeficiente de correlação cofenética. Existe divergência genética entre os cultivares de milho e foram formados seis grupos de cultivares. O comprimento do pendão, o número total de ramificações, a massa de matéria seca da espiga central e a produtividade de grãos são os caracteres que mais contribuem para a divergência genética entre os cultivares de milho.

ABSTRACT Maize tassels with a longer length and higher number of branches prevent the passage of solar radiation into the upper plant canopy and act as a drain for photoassimilates that could be used for grain production. This study aimed to verify if there is genetic divergence regarding grain yield and tassel traits among maize cultivars in three agricultural years. Twenty maize cultivars were evaluated and 11 tassel traits and grain yield were measured. Individual and joint analyses of variance were performed for each trait. Principal component analysis was performed, the generalized Mahalanobis distance matrix between cultivars was determined, and the genetic divergence analysis was performed, using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), which allowed constructing the dendrogram. The cophenetic correlation coefficient was calculated to validate the cluster. There is genetic divergence among maize cultivars and six groups of cultivars were formed. Tassel length, total number of branches, central spike dry matter, and grain yield are the traits that most contribute to the genetic divergence among maize cultivars.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o tamanho ótimo de parcela para avaliar a massa de matéria fresca de trigo mourisco (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) das cultivares IPR91-Baili e IPR92-Altar, em cenários formados por combinações de números de tratamentos, números de repetições e níveis de precisão experimental. Foram conduzidos 16 ensaios de uniformidade (experimentos em branco), sendo oito com a cultivar IPR91-Baili e oito com a cultivar IPR92-Altar. Os ensaios foram realizados em oito épocas de semeadura. Foi avaliada a massa de matéria fresca em 576 unidades experimentais básicas (UEB) de 1 m * 1 m (36 UEB por ensaio). Foi estimado o índice de heterogeneidade do solo de Smith (1938). Foi determinado o tamanho de parcela por meio do método de Hatheway (1961) em cenários formados pelas combinações de i tratamentos (i = 5, 10, 15 e 20), r repetições (r = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 e 8) e d níveis de precisão (d = 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19% e 20%). Para avaliar a massa de matéria fresca de trigo mourisco das cultivares IPR91-Baili e IPR92-Altar, nos delineamentos inteiramente casualizado e blocos completos ao acaso, com 5 a 20 tratamentos e oito repetições, parcelas de 8 m3 de área útil são suficientes para identificar diferenças significativas entre tratamentos, a 5% de probabilidade, de 15% da média geral do experimento.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to determine the optimal plot size to evaluate the fresh weight in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) of the IPR91-Baili and IPR92-Altar cultivars, in scenarios formed by combinations of numbers of treatments, numbers of replicates, and levels of experimental precision. Sixteen uniformity trials (blank experiments) were carried out, eight with cultivar IPR91-Baili and eight with cultivar IPR92-Altar. The trials were performed in eight sowing dates. The fresh weight was evaluated in 576 basic experimental units (BEU) of 1 m x 1 m (36 BEU per trial). The soil heterogeneity index of Smith (1938) was estimated. The plot size was determined by the method of Hatheway (1961) in scenarios formed by combinations of i treatments (i = 5, 10, 15, and 20), r replicates (r = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8), and d precision levels (d = 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, and 20%). To evaluate the fresh weight in buckwheat of the IPR91-Baili and IPR92-Altar cultivars, in experiments under completely randomized and randomized block designs, with 5 to 20 treatments and eight replicates, plots of 8 m3of useful area are sufficient to identify significant differences between treatments, at 5% probability level, of 15% of the overall mean of the experiment.

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to evaluate the agronomic performance of nine lettuce cultivars (Gloriosa, Pira Verde, Stella, Ceres, Grandes Lagos, Rubinella, Crocantela, Elisa and Vera), in three seasons (autumn-winter, spring and summer) and evaluate the effect of shade netting in spring and summer. Ten experiments were carried out, using the soilless cultivation systems in a sheltered environment. The experimental design was completely randomized, six benches were used in the autumn-winter season and four in both spring and summer, with 44 pots per bench. Lettuce seedlings were transplanted into 3-liter pots filled with sand. During the spring and summer seasons experiments were conducted with and without a 18% black shade netting placed 1.5 m above the plants. Nutritional supply was provided by nutrient solution recirculating in an automatically operated irrigation system. The evaluated traits were as follows: number of leaves, fresh and dry leaf matter, stem length, stem diameter, fresh and dry stem matter, fresh and dry shoot matter, root length and fresh and dry root matter. The cultivars Gloriosa (in autumn-winter), Grandes Lagos and Gloriosa (in the spring) and Crocantela and Vera (in the summer), presented greater matter yield and are deemed the most suitable for cultivation in these seasons. The use of a shade netting within the sheltered environment did not improve the performance of the cultivars and its use is not necessary in the spring and summer.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar agronómicamente nueve cultivares de lechuga (Gloriosa, Pira Verde, Stella, Ceres, Grandes Lagos, Rubinella, Crocantela, Elisa y Vera), en tres estaciones del año (otoño-invierno, primavera y verano), y el efecto de la malla de sombreado en los períodos de primavera y verano. Se realizaron diez experimentos, utilizando la técnica de cultivo sin suelo, en ambiente protegido. Se empleó un diseño experimental completamente al azar, en seis mesas en la temporada de otoño-invierno y cuatro en primavera y verano, con 44 macetas por mesa. Cada maceta tenía una capacidad de 3 L, y fueron llenadas con arena para el posterior trasplante de los plantines de lechuga. En la primavera y el verano se realizaron experimentos con y sin malla de sombreo. La malla utilizada fue de color negro, con un 18% de sombra, a 1,5 m sobre el cultivo. El suministro nutricional se se hizo por medio de una disolución nutritiva en sistema de fertirriego recirculante automático. Los parámetros evaluados fueron número de hojas, peso de materia fresca y seca de hojas, longitud del tallo, diámetro del tallo, peso de materia fresca y seca del tallo, peso de materia fresca y seca de parte aérea, longitud de raíces y peso de materia fresca y seca de raíces. Los cultivares Gloriosa (en la estación otoño-invierno), Grandes Lagos y Gloriosa (en la estación primavera) y Crocantela y Vera (en la estación verano) presentaron la mayor producción y son los más indicados para el cultivo en esas estaciones. La malla de sombreo en el interior del ambiente protegido no ha mejorado el rendimiento de los cultivares y su uso no es necesario en primavera y verano.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o tamanho ótimo de parcela para avaliar a massa de matéria fresca de aveia preta (Avena strigosa Schreb) e de ervilhaca (Vicia sativa L.), em cenários formados por combinações de números de tratamentos, números de repetições e níveis de precisão. Foram conduzidos 15 ensaios de uniformidade com aveia preta e ervilhaca, em cultivo solteiro e em consórcio. Foi avaliada a massa de matéria fresca em 540 unidades experimentais básicas (UEB) de 1 m × 1 m (36 UEB por ensaio). Foi estimado o índice de heterogeneidade do solo de SMITH (1938). Foi determinado o tamanho de parcela por meio do método de HATHEWAY (1961) em cenários formados pelas combinações de i tratamentos (i = 5, 10, 15 e 20), r repetições (r = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 e 8) e d níveis de precisão (d = 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18% e 20%). Para avaliar a massa de matéria fresca de aveia preta e de ervilhaca, em cultivo solteiro ou em consórcio, nos delineamentos inteiramente casualizado e de blocos completos ao acaso, com 5 a 20 tratamentos e com cinco repetições, parcelas de 10 m2 são suficientes para identificar diferenças significativas entre tratamentos, a 0,05 de probabilidade, de 10% da média geral do experimento.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the optimal plot size for evaluating the fresh weight of black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb) and the common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) in scenarios comprising combinations of the number of treatments, number of replications and levels of precision. Fifteen uniformity trials were conducted with single-crop and intercropped black oats and vetch. Fresh weight was evaluated in 540 basic experimental units (BEU), each of 1 m × 1 m (36 BEU per trial). The Smith index of soil heterogeneity (1938) was estimated. Plot size was determined using the HATHEWAY method (1961), in scenarios comprising combinations of i treatments (i = 5, 10, 15 and 20), r replications (r = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) and d levels of precision (d = 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18% and 20%). To evaluate the fresh weight of monocropped or intercropped black oats and vetch in a completely randomized or randomized complete block design, with from 5 to 20 treatments and five replications, plots of 10 m2 are sufficient to identify, at a probability of 0.05, significant differences between treatments of 10% of the overall mean value of the experiment.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a dimensão da amostra (número de plantas) para estimar a média de caracteres de centeio, avaliados no período de colheita dos grãos. Foram conduzidos oito ensaios de uniformidade (experimentos em branco). Cinco com a cultivar ‘BRS Progresso’ e três com a cultivar ‘Temprano’. No estágio de maturação dos grãos, foram recolhidas, aleatoriamente, 780 plantas (total dos oito ensaios) e avaliados 17 caracteres em cada planta. Foram calculadas estatísticas descritivas e determinou-se a dimensão da amostra para estimar a média, para as amplitudes do intervalo de confiança de 95% (ACI95%) de 5 (maior precisão), 10, 15, 20, 25 e 30% (menor precisão) da média - por reamostragem com reposição. Há variabilidade da dimensão da amostra entre caracteres, cultivares e épocas de sementeira. A dimensão da amostra para a cultivar ‘BRS Progresso’ é menor que para a cultivar ‘Temprano’. Para a estimação da média, para todos os caracteres e épocas de sementeira, com ACI95% máxima de 15, 20, 25 e 30%, são necessárias 352, 197, 127 e 87 plantas da cultivar ‘BRS Progresso’ e 609, 341, 227 e 154 plantas da cultivar ‘Temprano’, respectivamente.

The objective of this work was to determine the sample size (number of plants) to estimate of the mean rye traits, evaluated in the grain harvest period. Eight uniformity trials (blank experiments) were conducted. Five with the cultivar ‘BRS Progresso’ and three with the cultivar ‘Temprano’. At the stage of grain maturation 780 plants (total of eight trials) were randomly collected and 17 traits were evaluated in each plant. Descriptive statistics were calculated and the sample size to estimate the mean at amplitudes of the confidence interval of 95% (ACI95%) 5 (greater precision), 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% (lower precision) of the mean - was determined by resampling with replacement. There is variability of sample size between traits, cultivars, and sowing dates. The sample size for the cultivar ‘BRS Progresso’ is lower than for the cultivar ‘Temprano’. For the mean estimate, for all traits and sowing dates, with ACI95% maximum of 15, 20, 25, and 30% of the mean, 352, 197, 127, and 87 plants of ‘BRS Progresso’ cultivar and 609, 341, 227, and 154 plants of the ‘Temprano’ cultivar are required, respectively.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a interferência do número de repetições na precisão experimental, em milho (Zea mays). Foram utilizados dados de produtividade de grãos de 15 cultivares de milho, avaliada em blocos ao acaso, com nove repetições (r = 9). A partir do experimento com nove repetições, formaram-se experimentos pelas combinações de 2, 3, ..., r-1 repetições. Para cada experimento, foi realizada a análise de variância. Foram calculadas estatísticas de precisão experimental e medidas de tendência central e de variabilidade, confeccionados diagramas de dispersão e ajustados modelos dessas estatísticas em função do número de repetições. O número de repetições foi determinado pela análise visual dos gráficos das estatísticas de precisão experimental. O aumento do número de repetições melhora a precisão experimental, mas diminui os ganhos. Portanto, o aumento do número de repetições é importante para aumentar a discriminação das cultivares de milho. Recomendam-se seis repetições como referência para experimentos com cultivares de milho. O índice de diferenciação de Fasoulas, baseado no percentual de contrastes significativos, é uma estatística apropriada para avaliar a precisão experimental.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the number of replicates on experimental precision in corn (Zea mays). Data on the grain yield of 15 corn cultivars, evaluated in a randomized complete block design, with nine replicates (r = 9), were used. From the experiment with nine replicates, further experiments were conducted with combinations of 2, 3, ..., r-1 replicates. The analysis of variance was carried out for each experiment. Experimental precision statistics and central tendency and variability measures were calculated, dispersion diagrams were prepared, and models of these statistics were adjusted as a function of the number of replicates. The number of replicates was determined by the visual analysis of the graphs with the experimental precision statistics. Increasing the number of replicates improves the estimates of experimental precision but decreases gains. Therefore, the increase in the number of replicates is important to improve corn cultivar discrimination. Six replicates are recommended as the benchmark for experiments with corn cultivars. Fasoulas’ differentiation index, based on the percentage of significant contrasts, is an appropriate statistic for evaluating experimental precision.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the optimum plot size to evaluate the fresh matter of aerial part of dwarf pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp), cultivar IAPAR 43 (Aratã), in scenarios formed by combinations of numbers of treatments, number of replications, and precision levels. The fresh matter of aerial part was weighed on basic experimental units of 1 m × 1 m in three uniformity trials with size of 24 m × 12 m (288 m2 in each trial). The soil heterogeneity index of Smith was estimated. Also, the optimum plot size was determined by Hatheway’s method in scenarios formed by combinations of i treatments (i = 5, 10, 15, and 20), r replications (r = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 8, 9, and 10), and d precision levels (d = 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%). In experiments designed on randomized block design with 5 to 20 treatments and four replications, plots with 9 m2 were enough to identify significant differences among treatments regarding the fresh matter of aerial part in dwarf pigeon pea at 5% probability of 30% of the experiment overall mean.

Abstract Phyllochron and leaf appearance rate are both important parameters in the production efficiency of agricultural crops. The objectives of this study were to determine the phyllochron and leaf appearance rate in 4 oat cultivars (Avena sativa L.) in 3 sowing dates and verify the variability of phyllochron and leaf appearance rate among cultivars and sowing dates. The experimental design was the completely randomized with 12 treatments and 20 repetitions. Treatments were formed by the combination of 4 cultivars (URS Charrua, URS Taura, URS Estampa, and URS Corona) and 3 sowing dates in 2014 (April 28, May 28, and July 14). In each plant (repetition) of each treatment, the number of expanded leaves (NEL) was counted 3 times per week from the first leaf emission until flowering. For each plant, cultivar, and sowing date, linear regression was adjusted between NEL and accumulated thermal time (ATT) and between NEL and number of days after emergence (DAE). Phyllochron was determined by the inverse of the angular coefficient of the linear regression between the NEL and ATT. The leaf appearance rate was determined by the inverse of the angular coefficient of the linear regression between NEL and DAE. In oat, there is variability of phyllochron and leaf appearance rate among cultivars and sowing dates. Phyllochron oscillates between 95.88 and 117.70 °C day∙leaf−1 and leaf appearance rate, between 6.41 and 9.65 days∙leaf−1. The oat cropping management in function of phyllochron and leaf appearance rate is dependent on cultivars and sowing dates.