Abstract

The possibility of using expert systems in designing experiments in forestry was explored by organising the concerned knowledge base and incorporating the same into an expert system shell. Designs commonly used in forestry experiments were identifiedand the circumstances under which these designs could be used were explored. The algorithms for constructing the designs formed the knowledge base for the expert system. The knowledge base incorporated into the expert system shell GENEX formed the product designated as DESIGNEX. The software DESIGNEX runs under the DOS environment. A minimum memory of 640 KB is required to run the software. The system can identify appropriate experimental designs based on the user-given information about the experimental context. The programme also generates field layout plans of the designs for the user. The product will be useful to researchers in forestry and allied fields in designing their experiments. Some of the terms which would be encountered while using theDESIGNEX are given in the appendix