Abstract
Naked oat (Avena sativa ssp. nuda L.) is the highest quality small-grain cereal that can be grown at the northernmost margin of cereal production. It remains an under-utilised crop and it contributes less than 0.1% to the total oat area in Finland. In general, limited interest in growing naked oat more extensively is attributed to its weaknesses, which ironically result from nakedness that improves the quality of the crop. This paper reviews the available literature and assesses the balance of the arguments for and against naked oats. Results from the study were transformed into quantitative variables and analysed for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) using an analytical hierarchical process. As the importance of different SWOT-factors depends largely on targeted end-use of yield, separate analyses were done for use of naked oats as on-farm feed and as an input for the feed and food industry. If we aim at increasing area under naked oat in Finland, the most feasible starting point would be on-farm feed. In this case, strengths (high nutritional quality and energy content) outweighed weaknesses (sensitivity to grain damage) and threats (problems in germination). Increasing naked oat production in this respect is likely to encourage solving the remaining problems that deter industry. Threats (availability) regarding the feed industry and weaknesses (incomplete expression of nakedness) in the food industry out-weighed strengths (high nutritional quality and storability) and opportunities (potential niches).;
Highlights
Naked oat (Avena sativa ssp. nuda L.) is the highest quality small-grain cereal that can be grown at the northernmost margin of cereal production
Limited interest in growing naked oat more extensively is attributed to its weaknesses, which ironically result from nakedness that improves the quality of the crop
Oat (Avena sativa L.) grain is excellent in nutritional quality and has high metabolisable energy content compared with other small-grain cereals, but only when the palea and lemma, termed hulls, which surround the caryopsis are excluded (Peltonen-Sainio et al 2004a, b)
Summary
MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Data and Information Services, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland. Nuda L.) is the highest quality small-grain cereal that can be grown at the northernmost margin of cereal production It remains an under-utilised crop and it contributes less than 0.1% to the total oat area in Finland. If we aim at increasing area under naked oat in Finland, the most feasible starting point would be on-farm feed In this case, strengths (high nutritional quality and energy content) outweighed weaknesses (sensitivity to grain damage) and threats (problems in germination). Despite significant progress having been made in lowering hull content (Rekunen 1988), the presence of hulls limits the attractiveness of oat as feed and food This has, together with mechanisation of agriculture and decrease in number of workhorses, resulted in a drastic reduction in oat production compared with barley and wheat (Fig. 1a). From China it spread to Europe as a weed and was subsequently domesticated in England, in Norfolk and Suffolk, in Weighing strengths and weaknesses on the basis of available information
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
