Productivity Zones Based on Bulk Soil Electrical Conductivity - Agricultural Geophysics - page 271

for manipulating microbial populations (biological control) to improve system productivity and
sustainability.
Second, the relationship between plot-scale blocking and experimental error derived from EC a -
delineated productivity zones supports an alternative experimental design. In nonreplicated field-
scale experiments where EC a and yield are correlated, EC a -delineated within-field error can be
used to estimate plot-scale experimental error. By roughly evaluating treatments in this manner,
research questions can be identified that require further study in traditional plot-scale experiments.
Beginning investigations at the field scale, and then moving to plot or laboratory studies, represents
a reverse in research direction that may improve research relevance and foster farmer involvement
and adoption of sustainable management practices.
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