Determinação do tamanho ótimo de parcelas para experimentos com mudas clonais de eucalipto

Eucalyptus cultivation is of great importance for forestry in northern Espírito Santo, highlighting the need for research on seedling production that provides practical and experimental information for management and cultivation. The present study aimed to determine the optimal plot size (OPS) for experiments with eucalyptus seedlings, evaluating six clones of Eucalyptus spp. in the four seasons of the year, over two years. The maximum curvature method modified by Meier and Lessman (1971) was used, based on the Dickson Quality Index (DQI). A total of 2.000 seedlings in 50 cm³ tubes were evaluated (200 per clone in each evaluation period). Each basic experimental unit (BEU) consisted of one seedling. The trays, containing 10 x 14 cells, were structured in 15 plot sizes (1; 2; 4; 5; 5; 8; 10; 10; 20; 20; 25; 40; 40; 50; 100 seedlings per plot). The results showed variation in TOP between evaluations of the same clone and between clones, ranging from five to ten seedlings per plot. Considering the high environmental and genetic variability in seedling production, it is recommended to use 10 seedlings per plot in experiments with clonal eucalyptus seedlings grown in 50 cm³ tubes.