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Genetic Variation in Yield and Quality of Oat Forage¹

We evaluated 30 cultivars of oats (Avena sativa L.) for forage quality and yield at heading and 10 days later in 1968. Quality traits measured included in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM), cell wall constituents (CWC), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and crude protein (CP) concentration. Eleven of the cultivars were tested for 2 additional years.

All three fiber components (CWC, ADF, and ADL) were positively correlated with each other and all were negatively correlated with IVDDM. Of the three, however, ADL was most closely associated with digestibility. Yield and quality were negatively correlated at heading, but independent 2 weeks later. Forage yield and grain yield were not associated. Forage yield was correlated with plant height and heading date.

Cultivars differed in oat forage quality within a given environment; differences, however, generally were not repeatable over years. In contrast, cultivar variation for forage yield was consistent over years and sufficient for effective selection. Therefore, we recommend primary emphasis on forage yield in the developmnt of superior forage oat cultivars. However, one should examine forage quality before making final selections.

Key Words: In vitro digesibility • Fiber components • Cell wall constituents • Acid detergent fiber • Acid detergent lignin • Crude protein

² Associate Professor and Research Agronomist, respectively. PSRD, ARS, USDA, in Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn. 55101.

Received for publication May 13, 1972.

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