By Srinivasagan N. Subhashree and Rahul Goel et.al
On-farm research is a powerful tool to advance crop management, providing practical, field-specific insights. However, traditional designs such as the randomized complete block design, often referred to as replicated strip trials, are often difficult to implement on-farm due to time, equipment, and labor demands. With more farms collecting yield data with monitor systems, there is now an opportunity to conduct on-farm research using the Single-Strip Spatial Evaluation Approach (SSEA), which compares yield from one field-length treatment strip (at least two harvester widths) to two control strips using a spatial model. This new approach takes into account current year yield and pre-existing field variability, and reports results per yield stability zones: Q1 (high and stable), Q2 (high and variable), Q3 (low and variable), and Q4 (low and stable). As one farmer noted, “Multiple years with the SSEA has helped us tune in where we could be improving nutrient placement. The practicality and ease of use makes it a welcome trial on a busy farm.”
New Webtool to Support Spatial Evaluation of Single-Strip Trials
A free web-based tool was developed to automate the spatial analysis and provide interpretations of trial results without the need for statistical expertise. The tool was developed with feedback from a statewide advisory committee, who helped refine the visual outputs and ensure the tool met user’s needs. The interface includes four tabs: Inputs & Analysis, Results, Report, and About. When users first open the tool, only the Inputs & Analysis and About tabs are visible; the Results and Report tabs appear once the necessary files are uploaded, and the analysis is complete.
Source : cornell.edu