The selection of resistant cultivars is a cornerstone of crop production. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) guidelines explicitly emphasize the use of the genetic potential for natural resistance in cultivated varieties, which primarily enables a reduction in the use of chemical plant protection products. Post-Registration Variety Testing (PRVT) and Ecological Variety Testing (EVT) allow the identification of cultivars best adapted to local soil and climatic conditions and provide guidance for variety choice under conventional management with limited chemical inputs (PRVT) or organic farming (EVT). The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of selected cultivars of common oat (Avena sativa L.) and naked oat (Avena nuda L.) to different levels of fertilization and crop protection. We analyzed grain yield, thousand-grain weight (TGW), plant height, pre-harvest lodging, and susceptibility to two fungal pathogens (Drechslera avenae and Blumeria graminis f. sp. avenae). Experiments were performed in integrated (PRVT) and organic (EVT) systems in Pawłowice and Białogard during 2023–2024. The results highlight the importance of matching cultivar choice to the management system to achieve high and stable yields with minimal chemical inputs.

The study of the variation of mineral distribution and relative concentration on varieties of oat using synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence imaging.

Combined effects of genotype and harvest year on the distribution patterns of avenanthramide forms in oat varieties: considerations regarding the classification of “major” and “minor” forms

This study investigated the chemical composition and sensory acceptability of yeasted steamed wheat dumplings – a typical Central European side dish – that were fortified with wholegrain oat flours derived from two distinct cultivars – hull-less Inovec and hulled Prokop. The flours were used at 7 substitution levels, ranging from 2.5 to 25.0%. Chemical analysis of both flour mixtures and steamed dumplings revealed a significant modulation of macronutrient profiles with increasing oat inclusion. As presumed, the β-d-glucans content increased proportionally with the addition of oats, reaching up to 1.23% in flour mixtures (Prokop) and 0.80% in steamed dumplings (Inovec). Furthermore, enrichment by oat resulted in higher protein (up to 15.05%), lipid (up to 12.13%), and dry matter contents, while reducing starch levels. Two-factorial ANOVA attributed the most variance in nutritional traits (e.g., 87% for β-d-glucans) to the level of wheat flour substitution, with minor effects coming from the oat variety. The correlation analysis confirmed strong formulation-dependent trends, particularly for β-d-glucans (r = 0.972), lipids (r = 0.919), and proteins (r = 0.831), with the thermal stability of key nutrients demonstrated in all processing stages. Sensory evaluation revealed an inverse relationship between oat content and dumplings acceptability, primarily due to undesirable changes in color, aroma, and texture at higher inclusion levels. Multivariate PCA and two-way joining heatmap analysis highlighted that measurable nutritional enhancement was evident from the addition of just 2.5% oat flour, while the most favorable balance between an improved nutrient profile and retained sensory attributes was observed at inclusion levels of 10–15%. Oat Inovec-enriched samples exhibited superior protein and lipid content yet were more prone to sensory degradation at high inclusion rates. Overall, fortification with oat flours at levels of up to 10–15% is identified as an effective strategy for developing nutritionally enriched, fiber-rich yeasted steamed products with minimal sensory compromise. The findings emphasize the importance of balancing nutritional gains with sensory acceptability in the design of functional cereal-based foods.

Avena fatua (weedy oat) is a globally pervasive weed, notorious for its adaptability to extreme environments and herbicide tolerance. Here, we present the 10.98-Gb hexaploid genome of A. fatua and a variation map from 768 wild and cultivated oats (A. fatua, A. sterilis and A. sativa), elucidating their genetic relationship and evolutionary history. Population genomic analyses reveal genetic connections between A. fatua and cultivated naked oats, and identify divergent regions between A. fatua and A. sativa enriched in genes associated with biotic and abiotic stresses. Among them, a herbicide-resistance locus is identified on chromosome 4D, with A. fatua accessions carrying a highly differentiated haplotype from cultivated oats. Multi-omics profiling and functional validation demonstrate that one expanded GST gene in this locus contributes significantly to oat herbicide resistance. Our study provides genomic resources for understanding A. fatua’s broad adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, facilitating the development of climate-resilient oat varieties.

Oat protein extraction: The role of oat flourcomposition on extraction yield, purity, and functionality.

Exploring the industrial potential of Moroccan oat varieties for functional food applications

Impact of oat varieties, nutrient management, and seed rates on soil properties and economic returns of fodder oat production in semi-arid regions

Chemical mutagenesis coupled with molecular marker analysis is an efficient strategy for accelerating crop improvement and creating crop genetic diversity, yet optimized protocols and comprehensive evaluations chemical mutagenesis-assisted forage oats traits improvement and breeding understudied. This study aimed to assess sodium azide (SA)-induced mutagenesis in two oat varieties (Everleaf and 709) by characterizing phenotypic and molecular variations, identifying tissue-specific mutation patterns, and establishing efficient treatment parameters for breeding. SA treatment at > 10mmol·L⁻1 caused severe germination inhibition (lethality > 60%) but maximized phenotypic variation (CV up to 90.80% for panicle traits). By phenotypic screening, out of 767 (M2-M3) mutants, a total of six categories of mutant phenotypes were identified: leaf traits were most frequently altered (1.02%), followed by seeds (0.39%). M2 mutation frequencies reached 17.9-23.73%. SSR markers revealed high polymorphism (60-100% polymorphic sites, PIC 0.27-0.80), amplifying 3-9 alleles/locus. Multivariate analyses (PCA, UPGMA, and STRUCTURE) grouped 293 mutants into four genetically distinct clusters, confirming genome-wide diversity. SA induces extensive and diverse heritable phenotypic and molecular variations in oats, with mutation spectra showing tissue-specific trends. The mutant libraries and polymorphic SSR markers developed provide a valuable resource for oat breeding and functional genomics. This work establishes a protocol for SA mutagenesis in oats and delivers mutant germplasm with broad applicability in trait improvement and genetic research.

Spikelets play a crucial role in photosynthesis during seed formation. This study used two oat (Avena sativa) varieties with significantly different lemma colors, "Challenger" from Canada and "Qinghai444" from China, as experimental materials. Phenotypic, physiological, proteomic, and transcriptional analyses were conducted on oat glumes, lemmas, and paleas after nitrogen application during the grain-filling stage. Results indicated that glumes outperformed lemmas in photosynthetic efficiency. After nitrogen application, "Challenger" glumes exhibited increased stomatal area but decreased chlorophyll a content, maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/fm), and the quantum yield of photosystem II in steady state (ΦPSII). Concurrently, chloroplast membrane structure was repaired, and the expression of CAO, PsbR, and genes encoding chlorophyll protein complexes (LHCs) was upregulated, enhancing net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and photosynthetic capacity. Conversely, "Qinghai444" glumes showed decreased stomatal area but increased chlorophyll a content, Fv/fm, ΦPSII, and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). The chloroplast structure of glumes was improved, whereas that of the lemmas was damaged. The CP47 subunit of photosystem II (PSII) accumulated on the thylakoid lamella, and the expression of petA, PsbB, and PsbR genes was upregulated, with no change in Pn or photosynthetic capacity. This study revealed that photosynthetic responses to nitrogen varied among oat varieties and spikelet tissues, with "Challenger" showing more pronounced enhancements. The findings of this study elucidate the patterns of photosynthetic responses to nitrogen in oat spikelets, guiding nitrogen fertilizer use and supporting the breeding of high-yielding oat varieties.

This study evaluates the tolerance mechanisms of different varieties of oats (Avena sativa L., vars. Aragon, Bay Yan 2, Ivory, Racoon, and Vaclav) to cadmium (50mg·kg⁻1 soil applied on day 22, Cd treatment), the pathogen (Blumeria graminis f. sp. avenae, applied on day 35, P treatment), and their simultaneous effect (P + Cd treatment). Cd accumulation was generally higher in the infected plants (P + Cd) and depended on the genotype. The tested oat vars. were more sensitive to P than to Cd, which was reflected in a significant reduction (> 40%) in photosynthetic pigment content, an increase in polyphenol content, higher lipid peroxidation in membranes, and increased activity of total β-1,3-glucanase and catalase in infected leaves. A significant increase in calcium content was observed in the leaves of the P + Cd treatment. The reduced glutathione content in the Cd and P + Cd treatments (compared to the P treatment) in most of the tested vars. suggests different roles for glutathione in defence against Cd (metal sequestration) and P (antioxidant role). The reduction in lipid peroxidation, polyphenol content, and total β-1,3-glucanase activity in plants of the P + Cd treatment suggests a potential priming effect of cadmium on defence mechanisms. The obtained results have the potential to predict oat behaviour not only under cadmium stress or powdery mildew infection, but also under combined stress conditions.

IntroductionFusarium head blight (FHB), caused by various Fusarium species, poses a significant threat to oat grain quality and yield. The presence of multiple Fusarium species raises the question whether FHB resistance in oats can be broadly effective and species non-specific (cross-resistance), or whether it is rather species-specific. While several morphological and biochemical factors are known to influence FHB resistance, the role of hull trichomes in oat resistance remains unclear.MethodsIn this study, 25 oat genotypes were evaluated for resistance to Fusarium graminearum (FG), F. sporotrichioides (FS), and F. poae (FP) in multiple field trials across Germany. Infection severity was quantified using Fusarium species-specific qPCR. Microscopic analyses were conducted to characterize trichome size and density on the lemma and palea. Results and discussionSpecies-specific qPCR showed the highest fungal biomass for FP, followed by FS and FG. Variability due to environmental factors was very high, resulting in rather low heritabilities for FG (0.50) and FS (0.36), and no significant genotype effect for FP. A significant positive correlation was found between FP and FS infection, whereas FG infection was not correlated with either FP or FS. Trichome size and density showed significant genotype-specific variation with high heritability (0.97). FG biomass was positively correlated with trichome size and density, and FG hyphae were observed in close interaction with trichomes and stomata. Our results indicate the presence of partial cross-resistance for FS and FP in addition to mostly species-specific resistance and suggest a role for trichomes in susceptibility to FG. These findings provide important insights for the development of Fusarium-resistant oat varieties while underscoring the complexity of breeding for broad FHB resistance in oats.

The study analyzed the productivity and quality of the spring oat variety Ovidiu. The variety was cultivated within ARDS Lovrin, under non-irrigated cultivation conditions. Two experimental factors were analyzed – crop fertilization (with two graduations) and soil cultivation (with four graduations). Production was determined quantitatively at crop harvest. Regarding the main productivity elements: panicle length, number of grains/panicle, grain weight/panicle, straw length, TKW, HLW – these were obtained by analyzing a number of 50 plants for each experimental variant. The protein percentage was determined in the laboratory using the Kjeldahl method. Among the four types of soil cultivation practiced for the establishment of the spring oat crop, for the western area of ​​Romania the most efficient is the method of preparing the germinal bed with the heavy disc. By using this method, the costs of land preparation are reduced by 73%. The economic efficiency of disc tillage also derives from the higher yields per hectare obtained compared to the other three methods, the quality of the productions, and better storage and preservation of water in the soil.

To tackle the feed shortage, fodder oat is one of improved fodder crops highly recognized mainly in the highland areas. However, the performance of fodder oat sown in different time vary in yield and quality parameters and hence identifying the proper time of sowing date is critical for production of high biomass and quality fodder oat. Thus, the study was conducted to determine the appropriate sowing time of oat. Accordingly five sowing times (mid-June, late June to early July, mid-July, late July to early August and mid-August) were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results indicated that sowing time had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on plant height and number of tillers per plant. Leaf to stem ratio was significantly (p < 0.05) affected due to sowing time only at Kofele site. Dry matter (DM) and seed yield were also significantly (p < 0.05) different among sowing time at both sites with the maximum yield recorded at early sowing time. The maximum DM yield (7.5 t/ha to 13.9 t/ha) was recorded from oat sown in mid-June followed by oat sown in late June to early July (8.0 t/ha to 10.8 t/ha) at both sites, while the lowest DM yield (1.13 to 3.3 t/ha) were obtained from oat sown in mid-August. Likewise, the highest seed yield (20.1 to 22.8 qt/ha) were recorded from oat sown in mid-June followed by (18.9 qt/ha to 21.8 qt/ha) in late June to early July while the least seed yield (4.1 qt/ha to 4.8 qt/ha) produced from oat sown in mid-August. The higher yield in earlier sowing time may be due to the good weather conditions that prevailed during the earlier sowing period which favors for plant height and number of tillers per plants. On the other hands, ADF and CP contents of oat were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by sowing times. Therefore, it can be concluded that sowing oat from mid-June to early July is recommended to maximize both the yield and nutritive value of oats in the study areas. To minimize the risks of lodging while sustaining high yield performance, further study is required on agronomic management and to select lodging tolerant oat varieties.

Throughout the history of oat breeding in Altai, seven varieties have been developed and introduced into the List of Breeding Achievements. Five of them are the varieties ‘Altaiskiy krupnozerny’ (1992), ‘Korifey’ (1999), ‘Pegas’ (2009), ‘Rusich’ (2021), ‘Vektor’ (2021) for grain fodder use, two varieties ‘Argument’ (2005) and ‘Dzhigit’ (2024) are universal. The new oat variety ‘Dzhigit’ was developed by individual selection from the hybrid combination ‘Mutika 551’ x ‘Kalgan’. The crossing was carried out in 2003, the basic plant was selected in 2007. The study in the competitive testing nursery took place in 2013–2024. The State Variety Testing was in 2022, 2023. The current paper has presented the study results of oat varieties in 2022–2024. In the competitive testing nursery, the productivity of the variety ‘Dzhigit’ sown in fallow varied from 4.98 to 6.83 t/ha. The mean productivity was 5.78 t/ha, while the standard variety ‘Vektor’ had 5.12 t/ha with an increase of 0.66 t/ha or 12.9 %. On average, the productivity after the grain forecrop was 3.52 t/ha, which exceeded that of the standard variety by 0.58 t/ha or 19.7 %. Over the years of study, ‘Dzhigit’ has proved to be adapted to unfavorable environmental factors. The advantages of the new variety are as follows: large productivity of grain and green mass, grain size, resistance to lodging and loose smut. The variety ‘Dzhigit’ has been included in the List of breeding achievements approved for use since 2024 in the West Siberian (10), East Siberian (11) regions for grain and mowing purposes, in the Far Eastern (12) for grain purpose.

Gluten contamination from wheat, rye, and barley was examined in oats at initial and final stages of the production-consumption line, i.e., in seed form in field and processed, packaged form in market. The study focused on 23 oat seed varieties and 15 gluten-free oat-only products from these seeds. The oat seeds included all varieties registered in Turkey (23), cultivated in an experimental field during 2021–2023 growing seasons and harvested. 15 gluten-free oat-only products represented all such products available on market. A gluten-free protocol was followed throughout harvesting, handling, and analysis processes. Contamination levels in samples were determined using R5 antibody-based sandwich ELISA method, based on 5 ppm and 20 ppm gluten concentration limits. None of oat seeds had a gluten concentration greater than 5 ppm. However, 11 of 15 gluten-free oat-only products (73%) had a gluten concentration greater than 5 ppm, and 10 gluten-free oat-only products (67%) had a gluten concentration greater than 20 ppm. The contamination rate in seeds was significantly lower than global average, while in gluten-free oat-only products, it was considerably higher. This trend reflects the high prevalence of contamination worldwide in both oat seeds and gluten-free oat-only products, with contamination rate being higher in gluten-free oat-only products, suggesting that increased interventions lead to higher contamination levels.

Selection of oat varieties with unique nutritional qualities based on near-infrared spectroscopy and HS-SPME-GC-MS

The inheritance pattern of oat’s resistance to powdery mildew (caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. avenae), one of the most destructive foliar diseases, was investigated. The segregation pattern of resistance was studied in progenies of F1, F2 and BC1 generations, derived from different cross combinations of three resistant oat genotypes viz., JPO-46, Palampur-1 and KRR-AK-26 with susceptible genotype HJ-8. Progenies were grown under natural epiphytotic and controlled conditions in the humid, sub-tropical climate of Palampur, located in the northwestern Himalayas. The resistant reaction of the F1 plants, derived from different cross combinations, suggested the dominance of resistance over susceptibility to powdery mildew in oat genotypes. F2 segregation of each cross showed a close fit to a 3:1 (Resistant: Susceptible) ratio as determined by significant chi-square value, both under field and controlled conditions, representing true genetic segregation. Backcross combinations (BC1) of each cross further agreed with the dominant behavior of the resistance, as shown by the segregation pattern of a 1:1 ratio. Hence, this study confirmed the single dominant gene-governed resistance of three genotypes, viz., JPO-46, Palampur-1, and KRR-AK-26, against powdery mildew. These lines can be utilized in breeding programs as valuable donors of resistance to powdery mildew for incorporation into the cultivated varieties of oats.

Oats (Avena sativa L.) are forage grasses moderately tolerant to saline-alkali soil and are widely used for the improvement and utilization of saline-alkali land. Using the oat varieties collected from the Qaidam Basin as experimental materials, based on the analysis data of the main agronomic traits, quality, and soil physical and chemical properties of different oat varieties at the harvest stage. The hay yield of Molasses (17,933.33 kg·hm-2) was the highest (p < 0.05), the plant height (113.59 cm) and crude fat (3.02%) of Qinghai 444 were the highest (p < 0.05), the fresh-dry ratio (2.62), crude protein (7.43%), and total salt content in plants (68.33 g·kg-1) of Qingtian No. 1 were the highest (p < 0.05), and the Relative forage value (RFV) of Baler (122.96) was the highest (p < 0.05). In the 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil layers of different oat varieties, the contents of pH, EC, total salt, Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3- showed a decreasing trend at the harvest stage compared to the seedling stage, while the contents of organic matter, total nitrogen, Cl-, and SO42- showed an increasing trend. The contents of K+ and Na+ maintained a relatively balanced relationship between the seedling stage and the harvest stage in the two soil layers. Qingtian No. 1, Qingyin No. 1, and Molasses all rank among the top three in terms of production performance and soil physical and chemical properties, and they are the oat varieties suitable for cultivation in the research area.

The coastal tidal flat area of Jiangsu Province, China, is vast and has great potential for carbon sequestration. Planting oat in saline–alkaline land can increase carbon sequestration from the atmosphere into soil and, thus, improve soil quality. Harvesting oats can act as a biological desalination mechanism, and long-term planting may transform saline–alkaline land into high-quality arable land. Our experiment selected two oat varieties, Caesar (V1) and Menglong (V2), and used urea, organic fertilizer, microbial inoculant, and biochar as experimental factors to investigate the effects of fertilizers and soil amendments on soil improvement and carbon sequestration when cultivating oats. The results showed that when planting V1, the carbon sequestration of the farmland ecosystem was the highest with microbial inoculant and organic fertilizer treatments, and the soil salinity decreased the most with biochar treatment. When planting V2, the carbon sequestration of the farmland ecosystem was the highest with the urea + biochar treatment, the soil salinity decreased the most with organic fertilizer + microbial inoculant treatment, and the soil organic carbon content increased the most with organic fertilizer + biochar treatment. We found that the application of organic fertilizer and biochar significantly increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content by 22.03% compared to the control treatment. Additionally, the combined treatment of urea and biochar resulted in the highest agricultural carbon sink, with a 74.62% increase in oat carbon storage compared to conventional fertilization.