Number of Plants to Sample to Estimate Fruit Populations

D.A. Wolfenbarger


 
ABSTRACT

Three methods of sampling were used to record all fruiting forms on whole cotton plants growing in 0.4-ha plots. One method, the "X", required sampling across rows diagonally from corner to corner of the plot. The "Grid" method required sampling of plants down 10 rows within the 0.4-ha plot. The "Area" method called for sampling at random in each of the 4 quarters of the plot.

The seasonal distribution of flower buds, flowers, and bolls was measured by the percentage of plants falling within discrete classes of 0, 1, 2, etc. for each fruiting form. A percentage of the coefficient of variation was used to estimate the number of plants that would have to be sampled to reproduce statistically reliable data under the same conditions.

Also, a fixed value of one for the confidence interval was used to estimate the adequacy of sample sizes for three stages of flower buds and green bolls found on both a short- and a long-season variety of cotton. Sample sizes were also determined for open bolls.

Results suggest the adequacy of a sample size of 15 to 100 plants most of the time during the growing season.



Reprinted from Proceedings of the 1983 Beltwide Cotton Production Research Conference pp. 211 - 212
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Sunday, Dec 6 1998