Genetic variability in Avena sativa, Avena sterilis and in their hybrids through the agronomic evaluation

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the genetic variability of the cultivated oat group and of the wild-type of this cereal. Several agronomic traits like plant stature, number of primary and secondary anthoecium on the main panicle, vegetative cycle (head date), number of kernel only on the main panicle, 1000 kernel weight and tiller number were studied in the field in different groups of cultivated oat genotypes (UFRGS 7, UFRGS 8 and UPF 7) and wild-types (I-303, I-320, I-325, I-377, I-378, I-428 and I-ARG). Statistical differences were detected on all of the traits tested, except for the tillers number. Higher interspecific than intraspecific genetic variability was also found. The action of natural selection on all of the Avena sterilis L. group and the selection pressure applied by man (artificial selection) on the Avena sativa L. group could be the main point of difference between the two species. The I-325, I-377 and I-378 introductions showed similar vegetative cycle to the cultivated group, and increased the possibility of interspecific hybridization. The I-ARG wild type showed to have intermediate agronomic traits in relation to cultivated and wild oat types.