Seeding rate affects the performance of oat and black oat

Abstract

Basic management practices, including ideal seeding rates, are still lacking for black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) in the southeastern United States. This study evaluated the performance of five seeding rates (15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 lb acre −1 ) on 'Legend 567' oat (Avena sativa L.) and 'UF-10' black oat at three harvest dates (early, mid-season, and late) per year. Seeding rates of 60, 120, and 240 lb acre −1 tended (P = .07) to increase total herbage accumulation [4,760 lb dry matter (DM) acre −1 ] compared with 15 lb acre −1 (3,945 lb DM acre −1 ). Tiller density was usually greater for black oat than for oat. Seeding rate was positively associated with tiller density and explained 84 to 98% and 96 to 98% of the variation for black oat and oat, respectively. Tiller mass was greater for oat (0.045 oz tiller −1 ) than black oat (0.034 oz tiller −1 ), and greater for the mid-season harvest (0.043 oz tiller −1 ), compared with the early and late harvests (0.037 oz tiller −1 on average). There was a negative effect (P < .001) of seeding rate on tiller mass. Increasing the seeding rate had a negative effect on leaf length at the early and middle harvests (P < .05), and decreased leaf width from 0.56 to 0.39 inches in oat, and from 0.32 to 0.29 inches in black oat when changing from 15 to 240 lb acre −1 . To maximize herbage accumulation at a lower seeding rate, we recommend 60 lb acre −1 for both oat and black oat for multiple harvests.

Black oat as an alternative forage species for the US upper Midwest

“…For instance, Santos et al. (2022) reported 2000 lb DM acre −1 from UF10 black oat; however, this trial was carried out in north Florida, during the cool season. Environmental conditions in central Wisconsin during summer contrast with those in the southeastern United States, including much longer daylength, and will likely play a role in the growth and productivity of this species.…”

“…In general, the forage accumulation observed was greater than expected for black oat. For instance, Santos et al (2022) sativa L.) should be harvested at boot stage maturity for silage (Contreras-Govea & Albrecht, 2006). Indeed, Cherney & Marten (1982) determined that forage accumulation can nearly double from boot to hard dough stage, and NDF concentrations can increase to levels above 50% of DM with subsequent declines in digestibility, thus indicating the inverse relationship with herbage accumulation and nutritive value of forages.…”

“…Planting occurred on May 5, 2021, and May 24, 2022. Harvests were targeted to occur 60 days after planting, following recommendations from Santos et al (2022), with intentions to evaluate potential regrowth for additional harvests through the summer season. Harvests occurred on July 6, 2021, and July 22, 2022.…”

“…Each plot measured 2.5 × 20 ft. The black oat was planted using a no-till drill with cone-seeder attachment at a seeding rate of 60 lb acre −1 , based on recommendations from Santos et al (2022); all other species were planted at 100 lb acre −1 , using similar equipment.…”

“…Black oat is adapted to sandy or loamy soils but can grow in heavy clay soil with low fertility. These characteristics lend black oat to a wide range of uses and management practices, which may include early‐season plantings in certain regions, among others (Santos et al., 2022). In the upper Midwest, black oat may be especially attractive as an option to provide forage resources during the summer slump, when other cool‐season forages have reduced forage accumulation.…”