RESOLVABLE BLOCK DESIGNS BALANCED FOR NON-DIRECTIONAL NEIGHBOUR EFFECTS

Abstract

When there is a constraint of cultivable land, experimental units are to be arranged side by side in compact blocks without gaps in between, the treatment applied to one experimental plot may affect the response on neighbouring plots besides the response to which it is applied. Neighbour-balanced designs, where in the allocation of treatments is such that every treatment occurs equally often with every other treatment as neighbours, can be advantageously used in such situations. These designs ensure that no treatment is unduly disadvantaged by its neighbours and also helps in estimating the neighbour effects besides the direct effects of treatments. Resolvable neighbour balanced designs are advisable if continuous area is not available for all replications. Methods for constructing a new series of resolvable block designs balanced for non-directional neighbour effects for prime or prime power of number of treatments (v) have been developed. The methods are discussed in detail along with appropriate examples in following section.