Comparative analysis of the agronomic characters and quality of 25 forage oat varieties

The agronomic traits and nutritional quality of 25 forage oat (Avena sativa) varieties from different ecotypes bred locally and abroad were determined and analyzed using a randomized block design, and forage oat varieties suitable for planting in the Yanmenguan area of Shanxi Province were screened by principal component and cluster analyses. The study provides a theoretical basis for variety popularization and application. The results showed that: 1) The growth period of ‘Qinghai 444’ was 74 days, and it was an early maturing variety; ‘Haymarker’ had the longest growth period of 88 days. ‘Baiyan No. 7’ and ‘Longyan No. 2’ had the highest hay yields, which were significantly different from ‘Fuyan A126’, ‘Tianyan No. 1’, ‘Tianyan No. 2’, and ‘Qingmu No. 4’ (P < 0.05). 2). There were no significant differences in the crude protein content, while the water soluble carbohydrate content of ‘Tianyan No. 3’ was the highest, and the neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents of ‘Baiyan No. 7’ were the lowest. 3) The principal component analysis showed that the cumulative contribution rate of the first six principal components reached 83.6972%, while the cluster analysis divided the 25 forage oat varieties into five groups. According to this comprehensive study, the ‘Baiyan No. 7’, ‘Longyan No. 2’ and ‘Longyan No. 3’ varieties are suitable to be popularized in the Yanmenguan area.