Evaluation of Avena sativa L./A. fatua L. Progenies for Agronomic and Grain Quality Characters1

Abstract

The F4‐derived lines from eight Avena sativa L./A. fatua L. crosses were evaluated with their parents and check cultivars to determine whether A. fatua might contribute useful variation for improving agronomic and grain quality characters in cultivated oats. Certain A. fatua lines should be able to contribute genes for increased grain yield to A. sativa All crosses produced lines that equaled or exceeded A. sativa parents or check cultivars. Progeny means for grain yield were related to the heading date and grain yield of A. fatua parents. High groat oil percentage in A. fatua parents( 9.1 to 11.5%a) and progenies, and high heritability estimates(88 to 98%), indicated A. fatua could be used to increase oil levels in cultivated oats. Though parents did not differ for groat protein percentage, all crosses had variation among lines indicating A. fatua may have different genes for this trait than A. sativa. Groat oil percentage and groat protein percentage tended to be negatively correlated. However, crosses with high means for botht raits were identified. In contrast to the relationships of their parents, progeny lines with dark seed color or shattering habit were earlier, shorter, and higher for harvest index, and lower in groat oil percentage than light‐colored or nonshattering lines. Dark seed color and shattering were also associated with lower groat percentage and lower groat protein percentage. Few, if any, A. sativa/A. fatua progeny were even minimally acceptable for seed quality, height, maturity, and crown rust (Puccinia coronata Cda.f.sp. avenae Fraser and E. Led.)resistance. Further crossing to appropriate A. sativa genotypes would help alleviate these deficiencies.