Oat Cultivars Research Articles

Aluminum tolerance and micronutrient content in the grain of oat cultivars with different levels of breeding improvement from the VIR collection

Background. Soil toxicity of Al is associated with severe changes in plant root morphology that limit the uptake of water and mineral nutrients. Long-term exposure to Al results in deficiencies in some important nutrients, such as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Thus, the joint study of plant resistance to the effects of Al and the accumulation of micronutrients in the oat grain is relevant.Materials and methods. Thirty oat accessions of Russian and French origin from the VIR collection served as the research material. They were represented by cultivars with different levels of breeding improvement: landraces (early 1920s), cultivars developed by primitive breeding (1920–1930s), and modern improved cultivars.Results. Oat cultivars with different breeding improvement levels demonstrated significant differences in the content of micronutrients and aluminum tolerance. Among the studied accessions, landraces and modern improved cultivars showed a tendency towards medium or high Al tolerance, the group of primitive cultivars from Russia had the lowest Al tolerance, while primitive cultivars from France demonstrated the highest average resistance (0.5–1.9).Conclusion. The content of Fe and Zn was influenced by the geographic origin of genotypes. The concentrations of different micronutrients positively correlated with each other. Strong correlations were recorded between the contents of Zn and Fe (r = 0.81), and between Zn and Mg (r = 0.75). There was a positive correlation between the content of micronutrients and the resistance to crown rust (0.38 to 0.50). High content of the studied set of micronutrients was registered in such improved cultivars from France as the naked ‘Avoine Nue Renne’, ‘Chantilly’, ‘Negrita’ and ‘Noire de Michamps’, plus the Russian improved naked cultivar ‘Gavrosh’. Among them, ‘Chantilly’ was distinguished for its yield, and the naked ‘Gavrosh ‘for its high tolerance to aluminum.

Allelic state of prolamin-coding loci in the new oat cultivar ‘Tobolyak’

Background. In order to fully reveal the advantages of a cultivar and use it effectively in production, it is necessary to ensure high sowing and varietal qualities of seeds, which requires improvement in breeding and seed production. Biotechnological methods are increasingly used in initial seed production. High efficiency was shown by the method of electrophoresis of seed storage proteins – prolamins. The aim of this study was to assess the biotype composition and allelic state of the prolamin-coding loci in the new spring oat cultivar ‘Tobolyak’ for its further use in initial seed production.Materials and methods. In 2021, 1519 families of cv. ‘Tobolyak’ were studied using the method of native electrophoresis. Three grains from each family were selected for analyses by random sampling. Electrophoresis was carried out in vertical plates of 13.2% polyacrylamide gel at a constant voltage of 500 V for 4.5–5.0 hours.Results and conclusion. The study of cv. ‘Tobolyak’ families resulted in identifying 13 types of avenin patterns with a frequency of occurrence from 96.36 to 0.07%. A new block of avenin components controlled by the allele of the Avn B locus was described. Number 8 was assigned to this block. It was established that cv. ‘Tobolyak’ had been developed by crossing a minor biotype of cv. ‘Taezhnik’ (Avn 4.4.2) with the first biotype of cv. ‘Orion’ (Avn 2.8.2). The basis of cv. ‘Tobolyak’ was one genotype with the Avn 4.8.2 avenin formula. The remaining biotypes arose as a result of crossing the biotypes of cvs. ‘Taezhnik’ and ‘Orion’ as well as through mechanical contamination. To maintain the genetic stability of cv. ‘Tobolyak’, it is recommended to use only families of the first biotype in the process of original seed production.

Physicochemical characterization, antioxidant activity and phenolic acids profile of Tunisian whole cereal grains

Six varieties of Tunisian durum wheat, barley and oat cultivars namely Maali, Karim, Rihane, Manel, Meliane and Ghzella were analyzed for their physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities and phenolic acids profile. Results showed that there are significant (p < 0.05) differences in moisture (11.8-12.8%), proteins (10.98-12.09%), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (47.67-67.39%), ash (2.4-3.93%), fat (2.6- 6.75%), and carbohydrates (64.78-70.95%) contents between all studied varieties. Cereal grains were also a good source of potassium, sodium, calcium, zinc and iron. The results revealed that oat Meliane (5.9%) and barley Rihane (5.4%) varieties are good sources of dietary fiber β-glucan compared to the other varieties. Rihane, Meliane and Maali varieties had the highest total phenolic, total flavonoids and total condensed tannin contents. Antioxidant activity of whole grain extracts was performed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and revealed that barley Rihane had the best radical scavenging activity compared to oat and durum wheat varieties. The RP-HPLC analysis revealed that Tunisian barley, oat and durum wheat varieties are a good source of phenolic components and natural antioxidants.

AAC Kongsore oat

AAC Kongsore is a white-hulled spring oat ( Avena sativa L.) cultivar selected and developed under organic management. AAC Kongsore had high yields under organic and conventional production systems, compared to check cultivars (AAC Oravena, Leggett, AC Morgan and CDC Dancer). AAC Kongsore has good physical and milling quality traits.

Impact of Seeding Techniques and Planting Density on Productivity and Profitability of Oat Cultivar (Supergreen Oat)

Less fodder availability in the Rabi season causes a dramatic reduction in Pakistan's livestock sector's production capacity. In this regard, a field investigation was carried out for two years (2016-17 to 2017-18) at the Research Area of Fodder Research Sargodha to assess the most suitable seeding techniques and planting density for the new oat cultivar “Supergreen Oat”. Three seeding techniques were tested, i.e., 15 cm, 30 cm, and 45 cm apart rows, and three planting densities of 67.5 kg ha-1, 80 kg ha-1, and 92.5 kg ha-1. The experiment was sown during the first week of November each year by using seed rate according to treatments of new oat cultivars “Supergreen Oat”. Data regarding average forage yield, agronomic yield attributes, and economics of both variable factors, row spacing, and seeding rate were recorded. Perspective indicated statistically significant differences among the treatments. Row spacing of 15 cm apart lines produced the maximum forage yield (116.53 t ha-1) as compared to other sowing techniques, and the seeding rate (80 kg ha-1) performed better (118.58 t ha-1) as compared to both seeding rates. The interactive effect of both variable factors revealed that the seeding rate 80 kg ha-1 (SR2) performed better when sown at 15 cm (RS1) apart line to line (127.26 t ha-1) and also showed a maximum benefit cost ratio (2.85).

The effect of long-and short-stemmed oat in vetch-oat intercropping on weed infestation, agronomic performance, and grain quality in low input systems

As protein-rich crops, grain legumes are of great importance in organic farming. Common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) has not only a higher protein content than faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) but also has lower requirements for soil and climatic conditions. The phenology of common vetch with the formation of high biomass requires cultivation in an intercropping system with a strong partner ensuring a stable crop stand for machine harvest of the grains. In this study, low- and high-growing common vetch cultivars were intercropped with short- and long-stemmed oats in different seed ratios to find the best combination of both. Therefore, a field trial was conducted at the Thünen Institute of Organic Farming in Northern Germany in a randomised block design with four replications over three years. The agronomic performance showed a slight inhibition in pod formation of vetches in long-stemmed oat mixtures. Furthermore, the high-growing vetch suppressed the short-stemmed oat more than the long-stemmed oat. The two different growth characters of oat had no effect on weed suppression. Moreover, the high-growing vetch showed better weed suppression over all seed ratios in comparison to the low-growing vetch due to its vigorous growth and higher crop height. The regression models showed a strong influence of the year on total and partial grain and protein yields. Long-stemmed oat mixtures had a higher total grain yield than short-stemmed oat mixtures. A comparison of the common vetch cultivars in long-stemmed oat-mixtures demonstrates a total grain yield advantage for mixtures of high-growing vetch (5.3 Mg ha−1 dry matter (d. m.) (2016)) than for low-growing vetch (5.0 Mg ha−1 d. m. (2016)) in seed mixtures with a 51.9 % and a 44.6 % share of vetch. In short-stemmed oat mixtures, total grain yields of 4.2 Mg ha−1 d. m. (2016) were estimated for the low-growing vetch as well as for the high-growing vetch in seed mixtures with a 48.8 % and a 33.6 % share of vetch, respectively. The total grain yields of intercropped common vetches were higher than the respective sole-cropped cultivars. According to the regression model, a maximum total protein yield of 1.0 Mg ha−1 d. m. (2014 and 2015) was estimated for the high-growing vetch in a seed mixture with 79.8 % (2014) and 59.6 % (2015) share of vetch in short- and long-stemmed oat, respectively. The low-growing vetch had the highest total protein yields of 0.8 Mg ha−1 d. m. (2016) in short-stemmed oat mixtures with a 61.9 % share of vetch in the seed mixture. When intercropped with long-stemmed oat, the total protein yield of low-growing vetch-mixtures was lower with 0.7 Mg ha−1 d. m. (2016) in a seed mixture with a 59.6 % share of vetch. Mixtures showed a total grain yield advantage for high-growing vetches in both oat cultivars. Seed mixtures with a 34–64 % share of vetch reached the highest total grain yields. High total protein yields were reached in seed mixtures with higher vetch shares of 58–83 % for the high-growing and 60–95 % for the low-growing vetch. However, the risk of collapse of crop stand increased with high precipitation and high shares of vetch in the seed mixture which makes a machine harvest for grain yield challenging. Therefore, a seed mixture with a 50 % share of vetch is recommended to reach high levels of grain and protein yield but also to prevent an overgrowth of the cereal.

Management of dual-purpose wheat genotypes by rotatinuous stocking

The objective was to evaluate whether rotatinuous stocking management in dual-purpose wheat genotypes provides greater forage performance compared to the traditional rotational grazing management, which could become an alternative to ryegrass, once this new management strategy has been validated. Three dual-purpose wheat cultivars (BRS Pastoreio, BRS Tarumã and BRS Tarumaxi) and a black oat cultivar (Embrapa 139 Neblina) were used in the experiment, in traditional rotational and rotatinuous stocking. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete blocks design, with treatments arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme (cultivars x management strategies), with pre and post-harvest heights in traditional rotational management (RT) of 25 and 5 cm, and 25 and 15 in the rotatinuous stocking management (RN). The experiment was carried out at Embrapa Trigo, in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil. Nitrogen was applied after sowing and after cuts, according to the management strategies. Dry matter yield, percentage of leaf blades and forage accumulation per cut and total were evaluated. Wheat cultivars in rotatinuous stocking management showed higher numbers of cuts, greater cycle, percentage of leaves and average rate of forage accumulation, with smaller intervals between cycles. The total forage production showed no difference between the cultivars, however, BRS Tarumaxi was higher in the rotatinuous stocking management. Thus, responses between the genotypes in relation to the management strategies adopted are different.

Comparative Analysis of Policosanols Related to Growth Times from the Seedlings of Various Korean Oat (Avena sativa L.) Cultivars and Screening for Adenosine 5'-Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) Activation.

The objectives of this research were to evaluate the policosanol profiles and adenosine-5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) properties in the seedlings of Korean oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars at different growth times. Nine policosanols in the silylated hexane extracts were detected using GC-MS and their contents showed considerable differences; specifically, hexacosanol (6) exhibited the highest composition, constituting 88–91% of the total average content. Moreover, the average hexacosanol (6) contents showed remarkable variations of 337.8 (5 days) → 416.8 (7 days) → 458.9 (9 days) → 490.0 (11 days) → 479.2 (13 days) → 427.0 mg/100 g (15 days). The seedlings collected at 11 days showed the highest average policosanol content (541.7 mg/100 g), with the lowest content being 383.4 mg/100 g after 5 days. Interestingly, policosanols from oat seedlings grown for 11 days induced the most prevalent phenotype of AMPK activation in HepG2 cells, indicating that policosanols are an excellent AMPK activator.

ANALYSING GROWTH PATTERNS OF SELECTED TURKISH OAT CULTIVARS USING SIGMOIDAL MODELS

Increasing popularity of oat were accompanied with the introductions of many new cultivars for the last few decades. Aim of this study were to characterize the growth and developments of Kahraman, Küçükyayla, Yeniçeri, Sebat, Otağı and Diriliş oat cultivars using sigmoidal growth models. Growth data comprised of weekly observations of dry weights and growth stages with three samplings for two consecutive years. Results indicated that the growing season were the determining factor for the dry matter accumulation until the stem elongation stage since genotype differences became apparent only in the later stages. Sigmoidal growth models successfully fitted to the growth data and allowed for further evaluations. Goodness of fit statistics implied that Logistic, Logistic Power and Ratkowsky models were the best fitting growth models to explain dry matter accumulations of oat cultivars. Analysis also showed that Otağı, Yeniçeri and Sebat cultivars reached the highest dry matter accumulations. Point of inflections on the Logistic models indicated that Küçükyayla and Kahraman were the earliest cultivars in the Marmara region. Comparison of cultivars by using the growth models proved to be informative in terms of understanding the genotypic variation.

Physiological and Proteomic Analysis Responsive Mechanisms for Salt Stress in Oat.

Oat is considered as a moderately salt-tolerant crop that can be used to improve saline and alkaline soils. Previous studies have focused on short-term salt stress exposure, and the molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance in oat have not yet been elucidated. In this study, the salt-tolerant oat cultivar Vao-9 and the salt-sensitive oat cultivar Bai5 were treated with 6 days of 0 and 150 mmol L−1 salt stress (nNaCl:nNa2SO4 = 1:1). Label-Free technology was then used to analyze the differentially expressed proteins in leaves under 0 and 150 mmol L−1 salt stress. The obtained results indicated that total of 2,631 proteins were identified by mass spectrometry in the four samples. The salt-tolerant cultivar Vao-9 mainly enhances its carbohydrate and energy metabolism through the pentose and glucuronate interconversions, and carbon fixation pathways in prokaryotes, thereby reducing the damage caused by salt stress. In addition, the down-regulation of ribosomes expression and the up-regulated expression of HSPs and CRT are all through the regulation of protein synthesis in response to salt stress. However, GABA metabolism presents a different synthesis pattern in Bai5 and Vao-9. The main KEGG function of differential expressed protein (DEP) in Bai5 is classified into protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, estrogen signaling pathway, antigen processing and presentation, longevity regulating pathway-multiple species, arginine and proline metabolism, beta-alanine metabolism, vitamin B6 metabolism, salmonella infection, chloroalkane and chloroalkene degradation, and limonene and pinene degradation. Moreover, the main KEGG functions of DEP in Vao-9 are classified as ribosome and carbon fixation pathways in prokaryotes, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, GABA ergic synapse, and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. The results obtained in this study provide an important basis for further research on the underlying mechanisms of salt response and tolerance in oat and other plant species.

Phytopathogenic micromycetes of oats under the conditions of the Irkutsk region

The results of phytopathological examination of grain batches of oat zoned varieties Rovesnik and Egorych grown in different areas of the Irkutsk region and harvested in 2015-2016 and in 2020-2021 have been presented. Infestation with micromycetes was determined by the wet chamber method according to GOST 12044-93. The weather conditions during the growing years of the examined oat batches were warm and characterized by a deviation of moisture during the growing season from the norm which led to plants weakening and the reinforced development of phytopathogenic micromycetes. A high ubiquitous occurrence of fungi from the genus Alternaria has been established. In 2015 the infestation of oat cultivar with Rovesnik fungi from the genus Alternaria ranged from 20 tо 36 %, and that grown in 2016 – from 44 tо 83 %. The variety Egorych in 2016 was infested from 43 tо 91%. In the batches harvested in 2020 and 2021, irrespective to a cultivar, the infestation was from 70 tо 100 % and from 60 tо 98 %, correspondingly. Bipolaris spp. was observed in all the analyzed batches of oat variety Rovesnik in the harvests of 2015 and 2016 with a varying infestation range of 3-12 % and 4-37 %, respectively. The cultivar Egorych harvested in 2016 had the infestation level from 3 tо 87 %. In the harvests of 2020 and 2021, single batches free from Bipolaris spp. were found, but most of them had a degree of infestation, regardless of a variety, of 7-40 % and 3-45 %, respectively, in 2020 and 2021. The occurrence of phytopathogens of the genus Fusarium spp. did not depend on the variety, but it differed greatly in years. In the grain of most batches harvested in 2015-2016, the infestation with micromycetes Fusarium spp. was within the range of 1-24 %, and in the harvest of 2020-2021 the batches with very high infestation with this pathogen prevailed – 23-93 % and 20-67 %, respectively. Single batches were free of Fusarium spp.

A new model of two-sown regime for oat forage production in an alpine region of northern China.

Demand for high forage production and quality has been increased markedly by development of animal husbandry in China. The lack of efficient planting regimes and key technologies greatly limits production of high-quality forage. Oat has become an important forage in animal husbandry in China due to its high nutritional value and forage yield as well as its great adaptation to harsh environment. To maximize oat forage production in an alpine region, we developed a new model of oat forage production known as two-sown regime, i.e., the first spring-sown and the second summer-sown, during a single growing season in an alpine region of Hulun Buir, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, using two early-matured oat species, Avena sativa (cv. Qinghai444, winner oat cultivar) and A. nuda (cv. Huazao2, spring oat cultivar). The key technologies and the underlying agronomic mechanisms were investigated across three experimental years of 2017-2019. The main results were as follows: (1) dry weight yield, crude protein yield, and relative feed value of forage in the two-sown regime were significantly increased by 53.6%, 48.9%, and 70.6% relative to traditional one-sown regime across the 3years, respectively; (2) forage production was mainly achieved by an increase in plant height at the first spring-sown; and (3) forage yield resulted mainly from an increase in tiller density by increasing seeding rate under no-tillage treatment in the second summer-sown. The key technologies of the two-sown regime were the first spring-sown at the soil thawing depth 10-13cm, followed by the second summer-sown with increasing seeding rate under no-tillage treatment. These findings highlight that the two-sown regime of oat forage can be widely used as an effective planting regime to maximize forage production in large alpine regions of northern China as well as in regions with similar climates.

Effects of moisture and humic acid on the metabolism of oat fructans

To provide theoretical guidance and technical support for oat production in dry farming area, we exa-mined the effects of moisture and humic acid (HA) on the accumulation and distribution of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in different organs of oat, as well as the mechanism of sugar metabolism and grain weight formation of oat. Two oat cultivars, 'Mengnong Dayan 1' and 'Neiyan 5', were used as experimental material. HA and clean water (CK) were foliar sprayed under dry framing (without irrigation) and limited irrigation (irrigated twice at jointing and heading stage). The dynamics of NSC components in stems, leaves and panicles, as well as the changes of carbon metabolism-related enzyme activities at different growth stages of oats after flowering were measured. Results showed that the trend of the contents of NSC in stems, leaves and panicles, in both two oat cultivars increased firstly and then decreased with the prolong of post-anthesis time. The contents of NSC in different organs were similar between two oat cultivars. Under irrigation treatment, the fructan content in panicle for Mengnong Dayan 1 of HA was higher than that of CK, with magnitude of enhancement being significantly greater than that corresponding treatment under dry farming. Under irrigation condition, the fructan, invertase activities in leaves and grain weight per panicle for Mengnong Dayan 1 of HA were increased by 27.1%, 30.6% and 55.9% compared with CK, respectively. Further, the increase trend under irrigation was stronger than that under dry farming condition. For Mengnong Dayan 1, the 1000-grain weight and grain weight per panicle were positively correlated with the content of fructan in leaves. In conclusion, the synergistic effect of moisture and humic acid could effectively regulate the accumulation of oat fructans and the activities of carbon metabolic enzymes, consequently promoting the formation of yield.

Evaluation of salt tolerance of oat cultivars and the mechanism of adaptation to salinity

Soil salinity is a threat to agricultural production worldwide. Oat (Avena sativa L.) is an irreplaceable crop in areas with fragile ecological conditions. However, there is a lack of research on salt tolerance evaluation of oat germplasm resources. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to evaluate the salt tolerance of oat cultivars and investigate the mechanism of salt-tolerant oat cultivars’ adaptation to salinity. Salt tolerance of 100 oat cultivars was evaluated, and then two salt-tolerant cultivars and two salt-sensitive cultivars were used to compare their physiological responses and expression patterns of Na+- and K+-transport-related genes under salinity. Principal component analysis and membership function analysis had good predictability for salt tolerance evaluation of oat and other crops. The 100 oat cultivars were clustered into three categories, with three salt tolerance levels. Under saline condition, salt-tolerant cultivars maintained higher growth rate, leaf cell membrane integrity, and osmotic adjustment capability via enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and accumulating more osmotic regulators. Furthermore, salt-tolerant cultivars had stronger capability to restrict root Na + uptake through reducing AsAKT1 and AsHKT2;1 expression, exclude more Na+ from root through increasing AsSOS1 expression, compartmentalize more Na + into root vacuoles through increasing AsNHX1 and AsVATP-P1 expression, and absorb more K+ through increasing AsKUP1 expression, compared with salt-sensitive cultivars. The evaluation procedure developed in this work can be applied for screening cereal crop cultivars with higher salt tolerance, and the elucidated mechanism of oat adaptation to salinity lays a foundation for identifying more functional genes related to salt tolerance.

Selective weed control in white oat cultivars with als-inhibiting herbicides*

Background The limited number of selective herbicides for white oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivation makes it managing weeds a challenge. Currently, few herbicide options are available for selective weed control in winter crops. Previous studies have indicated that ALS-inhibiting herbicides could be potential alternatives, so studies were conducted. Objective To characterize the tolerance level of white oat cultivars to ALS-inhibiting herbicides and to evaluate the level of weed control by applying penoxsulam and bispyribac-sodium. Methods Tolerance (%) was determined [...]

Trinexapac-ethyl alters the expression of descriptors for identifying white oat cultivars

Trinexapac-ethyl reduces lodging in white oat, but its use in seed production fields requires knowledge of its impact on the expression of descriptors, under penalty of compromising the identification of cultivars. In this work, six white oat cultivars of different stature classes (Low: Brisasul and URS Taura; Medium: IPR Artemis; High: URS Altiva, URS Brava and URS 21) were evaluated for the state of expression of descriptors in response to the application of 100 g a.i ha-1 of trinexapac-ethyl when the primary stalk had the first visible node and the second perceptible node. Over two years, the experiments were carried out with different rainfall conditions (2017/2018), in a split-plot design, with three replications. The phenotypic variability in response to product application varied according to cultivar and year. Seven out of 23 descriptorschanged the state of expression in response to trinexapac-ethyl, in greater magnitude for plant length, followed by lemma length and panicle branching position, cycle, floral and glume axis lengths, and density of plants panicle. Trinexapac-ethyl reduced plant length, floral axis and glume, anticipated flowering, increased panicle density and lemma length. Regardless of year, the cultivars with the greatest phenotypic stability to the application of trinexapac-ethyl were Brisasul (96%) and Taura (91%), and the least stable was URS Altiva (83%). The stability of the other cultivars was yeardependent, with the greatest change in phenotypic expression in the year of lower water availability.

Genotypic and environmental variations in phenolic acid and avenanthramide content of Canadian oat (Avena sativa)

Phenolic compounds (PC) in oat may possess health promoting properties. This study evaluated the effect of genotype, environment, and their interaction on the phenolic acid and avenanthramide (AVN) concentration in Canadian oat. Six cultivars were grown at eight locations across Canada in a randomised complete block design with three field replicates. Free PCs were extracted from oat groat flour and analysed using a UPLC–PDA system. The cumulative concentration of free PCs and AVN ranged from 58 to 350 and 9 to 244 µg/g, respectively. The effect of environment was significant (p < 0.0001) for the concentration of all PCs. Cultivar differences significantly influenced the concentration of all PCs but AVNs A and B. The growing location explained > 68% of the variation in the concentration of AVN. Thus understanding the genotypic and environmental triggers of individual PCs may help agronomists and breeders strategize in selecting and growing oat cultivars of interest.

Metabolic and Physiological Changes in the Roots of Two Oat Cultivars in Response to Complex Saline-Alkali Stress.

Saline-alkali stress is a major abiotic stress factor in agricultural productivity. Oat (Avena sativa L.) is a saline-alkali tolerant crop species. However, molecular mechanisms of saline-alkali tolerance in oats remain unclear. To understand the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying seedling saline-alkali tolerance in oats, the phenotypic and metabolic responses of two oat cultivars, Baiyan7 (BY, tolerant cultivar) and Yizhangyan4 (YZY, sensitive cultivar), were characterized under saline-alkali stress conditions. Compared with YZY, BY showed better adaptability to saline-alkali stress. A total of 151 and 96 differential metabolites induced by saline-alkali stress were identified in roots of BY and YZY, respectively. More detailed analyses indicated that enhancements of energy metabolism and accumulations of organic acids were the active strategies of oat roots, in response to complex saline-alkali stress. The BY utilized sugars via sugar consumption more effectively, while amino acids strengthened metabolism and upregulated lignin and might be the positive responses of BY roots to saline-alkali stress, which led to a higher osmotic adjustment of solute concentrations and cell growth. The YZY mainly used soluble sugars and flavonoids combined with sugars to form glycosides, as osmotic regulatory substances or antioxidant substances, to cope with saline-alkali stress. The analyses of different metabolites of roots of tolerant and sensitive cultivars provided an important theoretical basis for understanding the mechanisms of saline-alkali tolerance and increased our knowledge of plant metabolism regulation under stress. Meanwhile, some related metabolites, such as proline, betaine, and p-coumaryl alcohol, can also be used as candidates for screening saline-alkali tolerant oat cultivars.

Metabolomic Characterisation of Discriminatory Metabolites Involved in Halo Blight Disease in Oat Cultivars Caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. coronafaciens.

The metabolome is the underlying biochemical layer of the phenotype and offers a functional readout of the cellular mechanisms involved in a biological system. Since metabolites are considered end-products of regulatory processes at a cellular level, their levels are considered the definitive response of the biological system to genetic or environmental variations. The metabolome thus serves as a metabolic fingerprint of the biochemical events that occur in a biological system under specific conditions. In this study, an untargeted metabolomics approach was applied to elucidate biochemical processes implicated in oat plant responses to Pseudomonas syringae pv. coronafaciens (Ps-c) infection, and to identify signatory markers related to defence responses and disease resistance against halo blight. Metabolic changes in two oat cultivars (“Dunnart” and “SWK001”) responding to Ps-c, were examined at the three-leaf growth stage and metabolome changes monitored over a four-day post-inoculation period. Hydromethanolic extracts were analysed using an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) system coupled to a high-definition mass spectrometer (MS) analytical platform. The acquired multi-dimensional data were processed using multivariate statistical analysis and chemometric modelling. The validated chemometric models indicated time- and cultivar-related metabolic changes, defining the host response to the bacterial inoculation. Further multivariate analyses of the data were performed to profile differential signatory markers, putatively associated with the type of launched defence response. These included amino acids, phenolics, phenolic amides, fatty acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, lipids, saponins and plant hormones. Based on the results, metabolic alterations involved in oat defence responses to Ps-c were elucidated and key signatory metabolic markers defining the defence metabolome were identified. The study thus contributes toward a more holistic understanding of the oat metabolism under biotic stress.

AAC Justice oat

AAC Justice is a white-hulled spring oat ( Avena sativa L.) cultivar. It was postulated to carry the crown rust resistance gene Pc91, which was effective against the prevalent crown rust races on the Canadian Prairies at the time of its release. It had very good resistance to loose and covered smut and moderate resistance to most of the prairie stem rust races, and was intermediate in reaction to the barley yellow dwarf virus. AAC Justice has a high test weight, average kernel weight, and average groat percentage and kernel plumpness. AAC Justice exhibited high yield potential in the eastern oat-growing areas of Western Canada. AAC Justice was registered (reg. no. 7439) in Canada on 15 October 2013.