Drought response of modern and old oat lines in greenhouse and long-term field trials

Abstract

This study compares the response of old and modern oat (Avena sutiva L.) lines to pre-anthesis precipitation in long-term field trials, and to pre- and post-anthesis drought in the greenhouse. Long-term field trials were carried out at the Experimental Farms of Hankkija Plant Breeding Institute and the University of Helsinki between 1965 and 1988. Grain yield of 12 oat lines (released since 1959) was compared with that of the check lines. The effect of differences in May-June precipitation on grain yield was established for different lines. Greenhouse experiments included 19 oat lines (released since 1921) and three wild species of oat (A. barbata L., A. sterilis max. L. and A. fatua L.). The data from greenhouse experiments were analysed using discriminant analysis in groups of old (released before 1970s), modern, and wild oat types. Ranking of the oat lines according to results from long-term field trials and greenhouse experiments was not consistent; contrary to the field experiments, the old lines tended to be the most drought sensitive when tested in the greenhouse. Therefore, the simple and non-laborious methods used in this study for ranking of drought sensitivity of oat lines are not recommended.