Access to the site should also be considered. The use of a randomized complete block design for OFTs is considered to be the standard. The blocks are then replicated three or more times. Blocks are often referred to as replicates. The area chosen for a block should be as uniform as possible, but the conditions between blocks do not have to be similar.
Blocks can be next to each other, in different areas of the field, or even in different fields.
Plot Size Plot size is determined by field size, uniformity of the field, equipment used, and area needed to carry out a particular treatment. On-farm test plots will be more reliable as the plot length is increased. The more uniform the field, the shorter the acceptable plot length. It is recommended that plots be as long as is practical. The width of the plots should be two to three times the width of the swather or combine straight cut header width.