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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #397298
Research Project: Improving Sustainability of Dairy and Forage Production Systems for the Upper Midwest

Location: Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research

Title: Evaluation of Black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb) as new forage species for the upper midwest

Author
item Jaramillo, David
item BLOUNT, ANNE - University Of Florida
item DUBEUX, JOSE - University Of Florida
item CAVADINI, JASON - University Of Wisconsin

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2022
Publication Date: 9/1/2022
Citation: Jaramillo, D.M., Blount, A., Dubeux, J., Cavadini, J. 2022. Evaluation of Black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb) as new forage species for the upper midwest. Meeting Abstract. 2022 ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD. Nov. 6-9, 2022.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Black oat (Avena strigosa) is a cool-season annual grass with an origin in the Mediterranean. In general, black oats have adapted to sandy or loamy soils, but can also grow in heavy clay and soil with low fertility. In contrast to annual ryegrass (Lollium multiflorum), or other cool-season small grains, black oats are more heat tolerant and disease resistant. This makes them an attractive option for the upper Midwest, since they can be utilized to provide forage during summer, when there is decreased productivity of other cool-season forages. Thus far, black oats are recommended for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8b-10a, far away from the upper Midwest (zones 2a-5b). Novel breeding lines are currently being developed and warrant evaluation in Upper Midwest environment. The objective was to evaluate 10 black oat breeding lines for herbage accumulation, and crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentrations. The experiment was carried out at the Marshfield Agricultural Research Station in Stratford, WI from May-July 2021. Triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack cv. ‘TriCal 342’) and ‘Legend 567’ oat were controls. Herbage accumulation did not differ (P = 0.14) among black oat breeding lines, averaging 6300 kg DM/ha. Contrasts between black oat and controls did not indicate differences (P = 0.43). Crude protein concentrations ranged from 756 and 996 g/kg, in UF7 and UF3 black oat lines, respectively. The IVDOM concentrations were above 590 g/kg across all black oat breeding lines. The NDF and ADF concentrations did not differ (P > 0.23) across breeding lines. In summary, results indicate black oats have the potential to provide forage resources during the summer in the Upper Midwest. Further studies are warranted to conclude if there are any differences between black oat and other cool-season annual grasses and to evaluate management practices that maximize forage productivity of this new forage species in the region.