OPTIMAL SIZE OF PLOTS FOR THE CULTURE OF SUNFLOWER CROP IN THREE SPATIAL ARRANGEMENTS OF PLANTS

ABSTRACT:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the optimum plot size to three sunflower hybrids in three spatial arrangements of plants. The uniformity test was installed in the experimental field of the Federal University of Recôncavo of Bahia, in Cruz das Almas, Brazil, in 2012. The plots were composed of six lines of 36 m, which were willing three spatial arrangements of plants: A1 (0,45 m x 0,49 m); A2 (0,70 m x 0,32 m) and A3 (0,90 m x 0,25 m), and each arrangement were distributed three sunflower hybrids: Hélio 250, Hélio 253 e Aguara 3. For the evaluation of the optimal plot size, at 110 days after sowing was harvested a sample of 180 basic units (plants) per plot, in which were evaluated the final plant height, the final diameter of the rod and the diameter of the chapter. Thirty-one plots sizes of three hybrids were simulated and for each variable assessed, wherein each plant was considered as a basic unit. The estimation of optimum plot size to the sunflower crop was calculated by the method of modified curvature maximum. The combined use of hybrid H253, installed in the arrangement 0.45 m x 0.49 m, promotes obtainment the greatest value of curvature maximum it was estimated the optimum plot size of six plants.

Keywords:
Uniformity test; Experimental error; Helianthus annus L; Experimental accuracy; Experimental unit.