Use of moving average adjustments for the selection of maize and sorghum hybrids

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to investigate moving average adjustment procedures that would take full advantage of the field homogeneity in yield trials which increases as distance between plots decreases. Simple correlation coefficients were determined between individual plots yields and each of nine different local plot combination averages in five homogeneity experiments in which fields had been planted to a single variety or hybrid and yield data had been obtained from individual plots. In each of the five homogeneity experiments, including three different crop species, the highest correlation coefficient was found by comparing individual plot yield with the average yield of the four plots comprising the local 'cross configuration'; the plots immediately in front, behind, and on either side of the central plot. Those correlation coefficients ranges from .32029 to .74987. Yield date were obtained from three completely randomized lock experiments, one hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) trial planted at Uvalde, TX and two hybrid sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) trials planted at Gregory and College Station, TX in 1978. Data were also obtained from the plots comprising the perimeter of those trials. The perimeter plots were planted with hybrids which has been randomly selected from each trial. ...