Growth Characteristics of Wild Oat (Avena fatua) in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract

Wild oat (Avena fatua L.) seedlings from mature seeds emerged in silt loam from depths up to 17.5 cm in the greenhouse or 15 cm under field conditions. No emergence occurred from greater depths. Under field conditions, the greatest percentage of shoots emerged from seeds planted 5 cm deep. Wild oat in a space-planted nursery produced an average of 19 tillers, reached a maximum height of 79 cm, and produced an average of 1072 seeds. The number of tillers per plant, the number of seeds per panicle, and the total number of seeds per plant increased with an increase in annual precipitation. Wild oat seeds harvested as early as 3 days after anther extrusion germinated, but seeds harvested 6 or 7 days after anther extrusion germinated more rapidly.