Forage yield and quality parameters of eight oat ( Avena sativa L.) genotypes at multilocation trials in Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Eight genotypes of oat (Avena sativa L.) were evaluated across four locations with two standard checks under rainfall conditions from 2017 to 2018. Both agronomic and chemical composition data were collected. The analysis of the results indicated a statistical significance difference (P < 0.01) in the days of 50% flowering stage, plant height, biomass yield, leaf-to-stem ratio, dry matter yield, date of maturity, and seed yield. For the collecting parameters, the overall mean was measured from days of 50% flowering stage taking (54.83–86.58) days, plant height (86.04 to 108.56 cm), biomass yield (36.19 to 47.47 t/ha), leaf-to-stem ratio (0.25 to 1.32), dry matter yield (6.96 to 9.79 t/ha) the maturity date (119.0 to 130.98 days) and seed yield (33.38 to 43.49 qu/ha). There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) among genotypes. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis for dry matter yield and biomass yield were influenced by environment and genotype. Among the study locations, Tulo was more of an ideal environment for oat crops followed by Chiro. Among the eight oat genotypes evaluated in this trial, the genotypes ILRI#5450 and ILRI#5442 revealed higher agronomic performance than the standard check and remaining studied genotypes. Therefore, oat genotypes ILRI#5450 and ILRI#5442 should be recommended for wider cultivation and need further breeding improvement investigation as animal feed in Eastern Oromia and similar agro-ecology to Ethiopia.