Reference sample size for multiple regression in corn

Abstract: The objective of this work was to determine the number of plants required to model corn grain yield (Y) as a function of ear length (X1) and ear diameter (X2), using the multiple regression model Y = β0 + β1X1 + β2X2. The Y, X1, and X2 traits were measured in 361, 373, and 416 plants, respectively, of single-, three-way, and double-cross hybrids in the 2008/2009 crop year; and in 1,777, 1,693, and 1,720 plants, respectively, of single-, three-way, and double-cross hybrids in the 2009/2010 crop year, totaling 6,340 plants. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and frequency histograms and scatterplots were created. The sample size (number of plants) for the estimate of the β0, β1, and β2 parameters, of the residual standard error, the coefficient of determination, the variance inflation factor, and the condition number between the explanatory traits of the model (X1 and X2) were determined by resampling with replacement. Measuring 260 plants is sufficient to adjust precise multiple regression models of corn grain yield as a function of ear length and ear diameter. The Y = -229.76 + 0.54X1 + 6.16X2 model is a reference for estimating corn grain yield.