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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #426008
Research Project: Combined Management Tactics for Resilient and Sustainable Crop Production

Location: Integrated Cropping Systems Research

Title: Genotype, environment and management effect on grain yield and milling quality of oat in the Northern Great Plains

Author
item Neupane, Dhurba
item RICHTER, PAUL - General Mills, Inc
item CAFFE, MELANIE - South Dakota State University
item Schneider, Sharon
item Ewing, Patrick

Submitted to: AgriRXiv
Publication Type: Pre-print Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2025
Publication Date: 5/6/2025
Citation: Neupane, D., Richter, P., Caffe, M., Schneider, S.K., Ewing, P.M. 2025. Genotype, environment and management effect on grain yield and milling quality of oat in the Northern Great Plains. AgriRXiv. https://doi.org/10.31220/agriRxiv.2025.00324.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31220/agriRxiv.2025.00324

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Markets demand grain characteristics that are consistent despite weather extremes and may be negatively correlated, such as between yield and nutritional value. Selecting crop varieties and management practices is important for meeting market demands reliably. We examined the impact of genotype, environment, and crop management practices on oat (Avena sativa L.) grain yield, milling quality, and nutritional content. Across 2021-2023, precipitation ranged from 176 to 328 mm and average daily maximum temperatures from 23.0 to 25.9oC. Cooler and wetter conditions generally supported higher yields and better milling quality, but at the cost of lower grain protein and ß-glucan content. Variety selection and management could mitigate weather impacts and tradeoffs among grain characteristics. The semi-dwarf variety, Reins excelled in favorable conditions, while medium-height Natty and Sumo tolerated drier conditions. Seeding rate also influenced grain nutrient content and milling quality, with higher populations resulting in higher test weight, kernel plumpness, oil, and protein content but lower thousand kernel weight. An additional, rotationally beneficial management practice, clover forage establishment, did not affect grain yield or quality. Tradeoffs among grain characteristics were variety-specific – Sumo best maintained milling quality and nutritional content irrespective of test weight, while Reins maintained grain quality traits across yield environments. To better meet the demands of the food oats market, breeders may further decouple grain quality traits while continuing to select for weather resilience. Agronomists, meanwhile, may revisit planting densities while continuing to develop soil-building practices.