Growth duration and above-ground dry-matter partitioning in oats

Authors

• Pirjo Peltonen-Sainio Department of Plant Production, P.O.Box 27, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.72694

Abstract

Duration of vegetative, generative, and grain-filling phases contribute to dry-matter accumulation and partitioning. Fourteen oat (Avena saliva L.) cultivars and six breeding lines were evaluated at the Viikki Experimental Farm, University of Helsinki, in 1988-1990. The following observations were made: (1) a short vegetative period accumulated less dry-matter into vegetative plant organs and resulted in higher grain yield and harvest index (HI), (2) a long period for maximum floret initiation yielded more grains per panicle and high panicle weight and (3) a short grain-filling period yielded high rates of panicle and grain filling associated with high HI. Hence, oat breeding and crop management should aim at improving the synchronization of the growth phases as shown in this study.