Nitrogen Fertilizer and Seeding Date Induced Changes in Protein, Oil and β-Glucan Contents of Four Oat Cultivars

Abstract

The application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer at both seeding and the boot stage of plant development (Zadoks 40-43) and/or delayed seeding caused changes in the protein, oil and β-glucan contents of four oat cultivars in field studies conducted in Québec, Canada, between 1990 and 1992. N fertilizer applied at the boot stage (Zadoks 40-43) tended to increase protein content and to decrease oil content; however, β-glucan content did not respond significantly to additional N. Generally, delayed seeding increased protein and β-glucan contents and decreased oil content. In 1992, however, protein and oil contents tended to increase with delayed seeding, while β-glucan was not affected significantly, although not all cultivars responded in a similar fashion. Environmental conditions during the growing season seemed to influence the effects of delayed seeding on protein, oil and β-glucan contents because results varied among years. While some cultivar × management treatment interactions were significant, the ranking of the cultivars was generally consistent across experiments. Thus, if improvement in these characteristics is required, genotype × management interactions should not interfere unduly with the evaluation of late-generation breeding materials for protein, oil and β-glucan contents.