Optimizing Oat Yield, Quality and Stand-ability in Central Alberta

• Author / Creator

  Aidoo, Joseph Paapa

• The value of oat (Avena sativa L.) for the producer is a function of both grain yield and quality. Therefore, managing nitrogen fertilizer rates to optimize yield while meeting expected grain quality standards is essential in guaranteeing profitable production. To determine the effect of nitrogen fertilization on grain yield and quality, field studies were conducted at Barrhead and St. Albert, AB over a three-year period (2014–2016) to determine responses to four nitrogen fertilizer rates (5, 50, 100, 150 kg ha-1) on five oat cultivars differing widely in agronomic traits. Grain yield, grain quality and β-glucan content of oat were measured. Application of nitrogen fertilizer resulted in a significant increase in grain yield, plant height and lodging score. Grain quality such as test weight and plump kernel decreased with greater nitrogen fertilizer rates. Average β-glucan content differed between cultivars. Optimizing oat yield and quality for high-value markets may be achieved by selecting well adapted cultivars and N fertility rates. The use of the plant growth regulator (PGR) trinexapac-ethyl has been shown to reduce lodging in cereal crops. Plant growth regulators of interest in Canadian cereal cropping systems are intended to restrict plant height and thereby reduce lodging susceptibility. Experiments were conducted over a three-year period (2014–2016) to determine the effect of trinexapac-ethyl application and nitrogen fertilization on yield, lodging and related agronomic responses of oat. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block with four replicates. The treatments consisted of four trinexapac-ethyl application rates (0, 70, 100 and 130 g a.i ha-1) and four nitrogen rates (5, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1), on the cultivar Stride. Grain yield, plant height, lodging score and grain quality parameters were evaluated. Grain yield was unaffected by applications of trinexapac-ethyl. Plant height was reduced by 5% to 16% with increasing rates of trinexapac-ethyl. PGR application had a significant effect on lodging at two experimental sites, where the severity of lodging was reduced 12% to 31% with high rates PGR application. The rates of nitrogen influenced grain yield, height and lodging. Using PGRs to maintain grain yield and avert lodging are necessary only under conditions where lodging represents a substantial risk.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Oat

• Graduation date

  Fall 2017

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3GH9BP97

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.