Sampling time and sample size in relation to studies on flower production in groundnut

H. Zaharah and C .S. Lee

Abstract

Records of daily flower count on groundnuts from two field trials were used to determine the optimum sampling time and sample size. Analyses of weekly total showed the coefficient of variation (CV) on a single plant basis ranged from 395 to 142% for one experiment and 34% to 273% for the second experiment. A second degree polynomial relationship fitted the data sufficiently, with optima CV of 38% and 32% respectively, between the second and third week. This compares well with the CV for the total flower count of 27% in both experiments Using the combined flower counts for weeks 2 and 3, estimates of Smith's regression coefficients gave an average value of 0.58. Optimum sample size was 24 plants assuming certain costs associated with the experiment.

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