Single-Factor Design: RCBD

Planning an experiment follows a reproducible routine:

  1. Load required libraries: Load inti, knitr, and dplyr packages.
  2. Define factor levels: Set up lists with genotypes, treatments, and management factors.
  3. Dispatch design generator: Choose between CRD, RCBD, Split-plot, or Augmented designs.
  4. Plot the field sketch: Verify spatial layouts and serpentine/zigzag sequences.
  5. Label design: Design the experimental labels to facilitate the data collection.
  6. Export to Field Book app: Generate field-ready sheets with trait parameters.
# Install packages and dependencies

library(inti)
library(dplyr)
library(huito)

Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD)

The Randomized Complete Block Design is recommended when an environmental gradient is present in the field, grouping experimental units into homogeneous blocks to control spatial variability.

# 1. Define factors: fertilization doses
factors <- list(
  fertilization = c("0", "50", "100")
)

# 2. Generate RCBD layout
design <- design_repblock(
  nfactors = 1,
  factors = factors,
  type = "rcbd",
  rep = 4,
  zigzag = TRUE,
  seed = 2026
)

# Fieldbook preview
fb <- design$fieldbook 

fb %>% 
  knitr::kable(caption = "Fieldbook preview")
Fieldbook preview
qrcode plots ntreat fertilization sort block rows cols design
inkaverse_1001 1001 1 0 1 1 1 1 rcbd
inkaverse_1002 1002 3 100 2 1 1 2 rcbd
inkaverse_1003 1003 2 50 3 1 1 3 rcbd
inkaverse_2001 2001 2 50 1 2 2 3 rcbd
inkaverse_2002 2002 1 0 2 2 2 2 rcbd
inkaverse_2003 2003 3 100 3 2 2 1 rcbd
inkaverse_3001 3001 3 100 1 3 3 1 rcbd
inkaverse_3002 3002 2 50 2 3 3 2 rcbd
inkaverse_3003 3003 1 0 3 3 3 3 rcbd
inkaverse_4001 4001 1 0 1 4 4 3 rcbd
inkaverse_4002 4002 3 100 2 4 4 2 rcbd
inkaverse_4003 4003 2 50 3 4 4 1 rcbd 

# Field layout visualization
tarpuy_plotdesign(
  data = design,
  factor = "fertilization",
  fill = c("plots", "ntreat")
)

Label

The experimental field book generated by the design is used as the input data for label creation. Each row represents an experimental unit, allowing the automatic generation of individualized labels.

Customize the label layout

The label layout can be customized by combining text, images and QR codes. Each layer can use values from the experimental field book, allowing automatic generation of labels for every experimental plot.

Load package and import fonts.

font <- c("Permanent Marker", "Tillana", "Courgette")

huito_fonts(font)

You can find more fonts in https://fonts.google.com/

Label design

label <- fb %>%  
  label_layout(size = c(10, 2.5)
               , border_color = "blue"
               ) %>%
  include_image(
    value = "https://flavjack.github.io/inti/img/inkaverse.png"
    , size = c(2.1, 2.4)
    , position = c(1.2, 1.25)
    # , opts = list("image_scale(200)", "image_noise()")
    ) %>%
  include_barcode(
     value = "qrcode"
     , size = c(2.5, 2.5)
     , position = c(8.2, 1.25)
     ) %>%
  include_text(value = "INKAVERSE"
               , position = c(4.6, 2)
               , size = 20
               , font = font[1]
               , fontface = "bold"
               , color = "red"
               ) %>%
  include_text(value = "Fertilization"
               , position = c(2.7, 1.2)
               , size = 12
               , font = font[2]
               , opts = list(hjust = 0.0, vjust = 0.0) 
               , color = "black"
               , prefix = "Fertilization: "
               , fontface = "bold"
               ) %>%
    include_text(value = "ntreat"
               , position = c(4.5, 0.5)
               , size = 12
               , color = "#009966"
               , font = font[2]
               , prefix = "Ntreat: "
               , fontface = "bold"
               ) %>% 
  include_text(value = "plots"
               , position = c(9.7, 1.25)
               , angle = 90
               , size = 12
               , color = "brown"
               , font = font[3]
               , prefix = "Plot: "
               )

Label preview

The preview mode label_print(mode = "preview") generate a example of the label design from a random row of the data set.

label %>% 
  label_print(mode = "preview")

Generate the complete labels

If you want generate the complete labels list, change: label_print(mode = "complete").

label %>% 
  label_print(mode = "complete"
              , filename = "horizontal-DBCA-1"
              , nlabels = 12)