Border Effects in Rice Experimental Plots. II. Varietal Competition

Abstract

SUMMARY Three varieties of rice, selected for their differences in height and tillering ability, were grown side by side in 10-row plots to determine the effect of varietal competition on plot yields. Plants in border rows performed differently from those in the centres of plots, higher-tillering or taller varieties tending to depress the performance of adjacent plants. Comparisons among varieties based on plot yields, determined with and without excluding the border rows, gave different results. Excluding two rows on each side of a plot was sufficient to eliminate the effects of varietal competition on yield data.