Comparison of analyses types in carrot experiment: square lattice versus randomized blocks design

ABSTRACT The square lattice 4x4 design was compared to a randomized block design, for carrot F1 hybrids. Sixteen experimental carrot hybrids were evaluated in Brasília, in 2014/15 and 2015/16 agricultural years. A square lattice 4x4 design with three replications was used. The experimental plot consisted of 1.5 m2 useful area. The experimental area was installed on the second half of November 2014 and 2015. Cultural practices were the usually given to the carrot crop in Brazilian savannah region. The incidence of leaf blight was evaluated 90 days after sowing date and, after 100 days, roots were harvested and yield components evaluated. We evaluated the three possible analyses in lattice: 1) as randomized block design; 2) intrablock analysis with adjusted treatments and blocks within unadjusted repetitions; 3) analysis with recovery of interblock information with adjusted treatments. The analysis in lattice permitted to reduce the mean squares of error and coefficients of variation; moreover, these were more efficient than the randomized block design experiments for most evaluated characters. Thus, use of the analysis in lattice is preferred in experiments with carrot when evaluating large number of treatments.