The aim of this research was to compare estimation methods for both optimum plot size and check the variability of the optimum plot size of single, triple and double hybrid corns. Grain yield data were used, of 16 uniformity assays with the simple hybrid (P32R21), 16 with the triple hybrid (DKB566) and 16 with the double hybrid (DKB747). Each assay consisted of four rows of 6m in length, divided into basic experimental units of a meter. In each of the 48 assays was determined the optimum plot size using the methods of the modified maximum curvature the linear response plateau model and the maximum curvature of the coefficient of variation model. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to verify the association among methods and the t-test to compare means. There is concordance in the estimation of the optimum experimental plot size of corn hybrids single, triple and double by the methods of the modified maximum curvature and maximum curvature of the coefficient of variation model. When using these methods, the optimum plot size among the hybrids was six basic experimental units for the simple hybrid and five for the triple and double hybrids.
Zea mays L.; uniformity assays; linear response plateau model; maximum curvature of the model coefficient of variation
