On Estimation Of Harvest Indices

The conventional method of analysis of harvest indices consists of obtaining mean ratios on plot basis and applying analysis of variance to these ratios. These ratios need not confirm the assumptions of the analysis of variance while the variables in the numerator and denominator may be in agreement with them. The application of analysis of variance of ratios on plot basis is criticised and an alternative procedure of estimating harvest index using ratio of means is proposed. The comparison of the proposed estimate of harvest index with the conventional estimate has been made and is illustrated with field data from experiments conducted on groundnut. The proposed estimate (based on ratio of means) is more precise and has smaller Mas compared to the conventional estimate of harvest index.