Decomposition of phenotypic variation of white oats by meteorological and geographic covariables

Abstract

AbstractWhite oat (Avena sativa L.) is a cold season grass, with a very important role, both in animal and human food, due to the chemical composition of its grains, which have, among other beneficial components, fiber soluble food products, beta‐glucans. Therefore, the demand for grains of the crop is maximized, and it is important to increase grain production. This can be achieved through the adequate positioning of the genotypes in the growing environments to maximize the agronomic performance of the crop. Thus, the objective of this work was to decompose meteorological and geographic variables in the positioning of white oat genotypes. The study took place considering 39 genotypes of white oats in 21 environments (in 13 years), in six municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul, two locations in the state of Santa Catarina, 10 in Paraná, and three municipalities in the state of São Paulo. The average grain yield (GY) (kg ha−1) of the genotypes in each environment was used to determine the adaptability and stability of the genotypes through the application of the genotype and genotype by environment interaction (GGE biplot) biometric method and the reaction norm. The reaction norm pointed out that the genotypes UPFPS Farroupilha, UPFA Gaudéria, and URS Guará demonstrated general adaptability to all environments, whereas FAEM 006 and URS Charrua expressed stability, high GY, and higher than average genetic value. The GGE biplot graphically demonstrated that the genotypes URS Monarca and IPR Artemis demonstrated the highest GY and high stability in the environments Eldorado do Sul—RS (E7) and Pelotas—RS. Identifying genotypes with superior agronomic performance in specific environments minimizes the effects of genotype × environment interaction. These white oat genotypes can be used as sources of alleles for the development of new genotypes.