An adequate experimental plan is necessary to get high quality data. Experimental plan ensures correct plot size and shape as well as adequate number of replications and samples. The objective of this work was to verify if maize genetic variability could interfere in the size of experimental plots and number of replications. Single (DAS 9560), double (AG 6018) and triple (AG 303) crosses and the open pollinated variety (Pampa) were evaluated. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Plot samples comprised experimental plots with eight rows of 12 m with 96 basic units. Lessman & Atkins and Hatheway methods were used to estimate optimum plot size and replication number. The best plot size varied from 4.5 m² (simple hybrid) to 7.2 m² (double hybrid). Soil heterogeneity and genetic variability change plot size and number of replications requested.
Zea mays; soil heterogeneity; plot size; number of replications
