Evaluation of location specific adaptability of new oat (Avena sativa) varieties for Kashmir region

Abstract

Oats (Avena sativa L.) is an essential fodder crop of this region, due to its wide adaptability to variable climatic conditions of the region. However there is a scope for increasing production. The performance of the crop using non-monetary inputs. Optimising sowing dates of newly released varieties is one such critical inputs which can be used in enhancing productivity and ensuring fodder availability during lean periods. This study aimed to evaluate the yield and growth performance of three oat varieties (Shalimar-Oat2, Shalimar-Oat3, and Shalimar-Oat4) under different sowing dates at the Shalimar Campus, SKUAST-K, during the Rabi seasons of 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. The results indicated that Shalimar-Oat4 (SFO4) sown in mid-October outperformed other treatments in terms of plant height, tiller count, green fodder yield, and seed yield. The study concludes that the mid October is the most suitable sowing date for maximizing oat productivity in Kashmir's climatic conditions.