Effectiveness of Split-Plot Design over Randomized Complete Block Design in Some Experiments

Abstract

One of the main features that distinguish split-plot experiments from other experiments is that they involve two types of experimental errors; the whole plot (WP) error and the split-plot (SP) error. This research paper compared the effectiveness of split-plot design (SPD) over randomized complete block design (RCBD). The data used for comparison is a 2¹ x 5² split-plot experiment with three replicates. It is been carried out to evaluate the threshing efficiency of an improved sorghum thresher; the three factors considered in the experiment are the feed at two different rates, moisture content at five different levels and speed at five different rates. The data is analyzed as split-plot and as randomized complete block design and their ANOVA results and relative efficiency (RE) statistic values were compared. The result reveals the effectiveness of split-plot design over randomized complete block design.

Key words: SPD, SP error, WP error, RCBD, Relative Efficiency