Research on some morphological, biochemical, and productivity indices of four oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes under soil and climatic conditions of the Crișurilor Plain (Romania)

 

 

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Article Title: Research on some morphological, biochemical, and productivity indices of four oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes under soil and climatic conditions of the Crișurilor Plain (Romania)
Authors: Ungureanu O.C., Stana I.O., Ungureanu E., Bota V.B., Marinescu F.C., Turcuș V.
Affiliation: „Vasile Goldiș” Western University of Arad, Romania
Iași University of Life Science, Iași, Romania
Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași
National Institute for Economic Research “Costin C. Kiritescu” of the Romanian Academy/Centre for Mountain Economy (CE-MONT)
The Development and Research Center for Cattle Breeding from Arad, Romania
Abstract: Oats (Avena sativa L.) are one of the most important cereal crops, grown globally as a source of energy, food, and feed. It is highly resistant to environmental conditions, nutrient-poor soils, and low temperatures while contributing to the improvement of the soil’s physical characteristics and maintaining humus content. The oat grain is a rich source of fiber, in particular beta-glucan, avenanthramide, protein, vitamins, and bioactive compounds, but also has a low gluten content, and is used in various economic sectors, notably in the feeding of infants, people with illnesses, as animal feed and in biofuel production. In this study, 4 genotypes of spring oats were evaluated under soil and climatic conditions specific to the area of the Crișurilor Plain, Arad County, Romania, to assess the possibility of expanding this crop and to select an optimal variety for the soil and climatic conditions of the study area. The single-factor experiment was carried out in 4 repetitions, using as experimental variants the spring oat varieties V1 – ‘Lovrin’ 1; V2 – ‘Mureșana’; V3 – ‘Ovidiu’; V4 – ‘Jeremy’, and as control, the average of the 4 varieties taken in the study. The studied parameters include growing season, plant height, number of branches per panicle, number of caryopses per panicle, the mass of 1000 grains, hectoliter mass, seed yield, the percentage content of protein, fat, starch, cellulose, and ash in grains and economic efficiency. The results show good adaptability of the studied genotypes to the soil and climatic conditions of the Crișurilor Plain. The best results in terms of grain production and profit were obtained for the Ovidiu variety. The Jeremy variety had the highest content of proteins and starch, while the Mureșana variety had the highest content of fats and cellulose. The quality indices evaluated support the use of these varieties in the food industry as well as in the starch industry or as animal feed.
Keywords: oat, Avena sativa L., morphology, biochemistry, productivity
*Correspondence: Ungureanu Ovidiu Costica, Vasile Goldis Western University, Faculty of Medicine, Biology Departament, Str. Liviu
Rebreanu, No 91-93, Arad, Romania, e-mail: ovidiu.c.ungureanu@gmail.com