Black Oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) Ontogenesis and Agronomic Performance in Organic Cropping System and Pannonian Environments

Vladan Ugrenović,Nataša Ljubičić,Ksenija Mačkić,Željko Lakić,Vera Popović,Vladimir Filipović,Slobodan Popović,Milan Ugrinović

doi:10.3390/agriculture11010055

Abstract

This study examined the influence of agroecological conditions on the ontogenesis and production yield traits of black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.). Understanding the agronomic and phenological properties related to productive properties of black oats can enable more successful introduction into new areas of oat cultivation. Field microexperiments were performed during the three consecutive years (2017–2019) on the two localities in South Banat, in Serbia, which differed in soil type: carbonate chernozem and humogley, respectively. The results showed that all investigated traits of oat in the chernozem soil type were higher when compared with measured traits obtained from the humogley soil type. The average value of yields of aboveground biomass, yield and protein content were significantly higher in relation to the humogley, by 13%, 17% and 11%, respectively for all three seasons. Observed by years, all productivity parameters differed significantly, which confirmed that the productivity of the cultivated plants was strongly influenced by different agroecological, soil and climatic conditions in Pannonian environments. The aboveground biomass and grain yield obtained from the humogley soil type indicate that this species can be successfully grown and utilized in production as a cover or fodder crop even in less favorable soil conditions.

Highlights

The black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) belongs to the diploid subgroup of cultivated annual species of the genus Avena, with an open and loose panicle
Since the 2019 season achieved the greatest value of aboveground biomass, it becomes clear that the year had a significant impact on this trait. These differences were statistically significant, the black oat biomass yield achieved in humogley (11.29 t ha−1 ) indicates that this species can be successfully grown as a cover or fodder crop even in less favorable soil conditions
Significant variation in observed traits was shown in the experiment due to heterogeneous weather and soil conditions

Summary

Introduction

The black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) belongs to the diploid subgroup of cultivated annual species of the genus Avena, with an open and loose panicle It differs from other cultivated species of this genus by thin and tall stem and outer glumes that end in two thin awn looking outgrowths [1]. This plant species has moderate requirements for climatic and soil conditions. It tolerates drought well [2], but is less resistant to low temperatures because it freezes in winter at temperatures below −7 ◦ C [3]. It is tolerant to acidic soils (pH 4.5 to 7.3), and is best suited to sandy and loamy soils [2]

Methods

Results

Conclusion