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Table 2 Average ratio of evaluation criteria [error variance component (VC) and standard error of a treatment difference (s.e.d.)] for a given experimental design compared to the evaluation criteria using re-arrangement of pots across seven traits

From: Blocking and re-arrangement of pots in greenhouse experiments: which approach is more effective?

Design (number of blocks × block size)

Efficiency factor [2]

Average ratiob of

error VC across traits

s.e.d. across traits

RCBD

 1 × 20 (1A)

1

1.09

1.00

α-design

 2 × 10 (1B)

0.90

1.05

1.02

 2 × 10 (1C)

0.90

0.89

0.96

 4 × 5 (1D)

0.75

0.81

0.97

 4 × 5 (1E)

0.75

0.78

0.94

 4 × 5 (1F)

0.75

0.75

0.94

 5 × 5 (1G)

0.68

0.70

0.94

 5 × 5 (1H)

0.68

0.78

0.98

 5 × 4 (1I)

0.68

0.71

0.94

 5 × 4 (1J)

0.68

0.63

0.91

 10 × 2 (1K)

0.14

0.62

0.96

 10 × 2 (1L)

0.14

0.66

0.98

Row–column design

 2 × 10 (1M)

–

0.59

1.02

 2 × 10 (1N)

0.63

0.60

1.02

α-design (1B) with spatial error structurea

0.90

–

1.00

  1. 200 randomizations for each trait and design were performed and results are based on analyses reaching convergence
  2. RCBD randomized complete block design, SPAD single photon avalanche diode
  3. aNugget variance plus a first-order autoregressive error structure within a block of ten pots arranged in a row on the table (Fig. 1b)
  4. bRatio for all designs of either the VC or s.e.d. for fixed-position arrangement to the VC or s.e.d. under re-arrangement, respectively