Data management

GenStat can be used to design the experimental layout for Study 1 and produce a corresponding recording sheet by using Stats → Design → Generate a Standard Design... and putting appropriate numbers for blocks (or replicates) (namely 3) and whole plot and subplot treatments (namely 4 for dates of planting and 9 for the nine landrace x fertiliser levels.

By clicking the Options button on the right hand side and making 'plot labels' sequential numbers a spread sheet similar to that below with 'treatments' randomised to plots can be obtained.

Now select the first nine rows (Block 1 W_Plots 1), click Spread → Sort... and sort PlotNo into ascending order, ticking the box to 'Place sorted rows at bottom of sheet'. This simply has the effect of moving these rows to the bottom. The nine rows for Block 1, W_Plots 2 are now at the top. Select these but this time sort PlotNo into descending order so that PlotNo is in reverse order 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10. These rows again appear at the bottom of the file. Continue throughout the file until PlotNo 1 is back at the top.

The reason for doing this is discussed on the next page.