Effects of nitrogen, seed rate, fungicide and PGR on yield and standing power of spring oats

Abstract

The recent development of a market for oats grown without plant growth regulators (PGR) has meant that an urgent reappraisal of agronomy techniques is required to ensure that yield and quality criteria can be consistently attained. Trials on spring oats were established in Fife, Scotland in spring 2002 to examine the effects of manipulating the key agronomic variables of nitrogen, seed rate, fungicide and PGR.

The results were achieved in a low lodging pressure season and conclusions were limited due to the absence of differential lodging data. Nitrogen level had the greatest influence on yield and crop height, with step reductions in applied nitrogen from the current commercial practice resulting in a linear reduction in yields and crop height. Seed rate differences did not have a significant effect on yield or quality. The other variables did not have any significant effects on yield or quality, but there was a trend for PGR treatment to depress yield and reduce specific weights. The use of strobilurin fungicide tended to give yield increases compared to triazole fungicides.

The trial series was continued and expanded for season 2002-03 to include winter oats and includes UK wide sites. This series is wholly industry funded.