Question

In the cornfield An agriculture researcher wants to compare the yield of$5$corn varieties: A, B, C, D, and E. The field in which the experiment will be carried out increases in fertility from north to south. The researcher therefore divides the field into$25$plots of equal size, arranged in$5$east–west rows of$5$ plots each, as shown in the diagram.

a. Describe a randomized block design for this experiment. Justify your choice of blocks.

b. Explain why a randomized block design might be preferable to a completely randomized design for this experiment.

Short answer

(a) A randomized block experiment is a way in which a block can be randomly assigned to anyone but has similar characteristics.

(b) A randomized block design is preferred because it gives more accurate results.

Step-by-step solution

Part (a) Step 1: Given Information

We are given that the experiment has to be conducted to test the fertilizers in such a way that the fertility should increase north to south and we have to find out the random block experiment.

Part (a) Step 2: Explanation

A randomized block of experiments means grouping the blocks into two or more than two that have similar characteristics and then randomly assigning each block a treatment. It will be done in such a way that a random block is assigned to fertilizer A and another random block is assigned to fertilizer B and another random block is assigned to fertilizer C and then the remaining other blocks are assigned equally to D and E and lastly, compare the yield of corn in each specific way with each block having each fertilizer.

Part (b) Step 1: Given Information

We are given that the experiment has to be conducted to test the fertilizers in such a way that the fertility should increase north to south and we have to find out the reason for using randomized block design.

Part (b) Step 2: Explanation

According to the question, twenty-five plots are used and five fertilizers (A, B, C, D, and E) have to be tested in such a way that the fertility increases from north to south. So, for that, we can choose the trees randomly for the use of different fertilizers in such a way that other factors will not be able to affect the results of the experiment.