STRATEGIES FOR CROP RESEARCH

Some basic concepts and methods of crop research are critically examined and their implications for crop research strategy discussed. Definition of the objective function of crop research is seen as a necessary foundation for useful discussion of alternative crop research strategies. Development of dynamic intera<;tive systems of environmental data banks and crop production models offers best prospects of general solutions and location- specific prescriptions. Concepts of minimum data sets, optimisation of experimental networks and the 'omnibus' experiment are defined and discussed in relation to development of new crop research strategies.