Selection of high-yield and good-quality oat varieties in the eastern agricultural area of Qinghai Province

To select good-quality oat varieties suitable for planting in the eastern agricultural area of Qinghai Province, eight local main oat varieties were studied. The agronomic characteristics, yield, and quality of the tested varieties were analyzed and compared, and their adaptability is evaluated by membership function. The results showed that the forage yield and quality of the eight oat varieties in the flowering stage were as follows from high to low: Qinghai 444 > Qinghai Sweet oat > Qingyan No.1 > Qingyin No.1 > Jiayan No.2 > Baiyan No.7 > Qingyin No.2 > Lena. The grass yield of Qinghai 444 was the highest at 39 091.29 kg·ha^–1, whereas Qinghai Sweet oat ranked the second, and they both have low fiber content, which led to better palatability. The grass yield and crude protein content of Qingyan No.1 were higher than those of the other tested varieties. Therefore, it is suggested to plant Qinghai 444, Qinghai Sweet oat, and Qingyan No.1 for harvesting forage. The order of the eight oat varieties in terms of seed yield and forage quality were as follows from high to low: Baiyan No.7 > Qinghai Sweet oat > Qingyan No.1 > Lena > Qinghai 444 > Qingyin No.2 > Jiayan No.2 > Qingyin No.1. The crude protein content (3.74%) of Baiyan No.7 was the highest, but its seed yield (5 528.01 kg·ha^–1) was lower than that of Lena (5 888.69 kg·ha^–1). The seed yield of Qingyan No.1 was low. Thus, it is suggested to plant Baiyan No.7, Qinghai Sweet oat, and Lena for high seed yield.