Comprehensive evaluation of agronomic traits and nutritional components of oats in the agro-pastoral ecotone of Ningxia
[Objective]The study aimed to provide a guidance for the introduction and screening of oat varieties in the agro-pastoral ecotone of Ningxia,with the Yanchi County as a case.[Method]A random-ized block design was used in this experiment,and eight Oat varieties were analyzed by measuring their plant height,stem diameter,dry-fresh ratio,chlorophyll content,leaf area,fresh hay yield,crude protein,neu-tral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber,comprehensively evaluating and comparing production perfor-mance of different varieties.[Result]It was showed that there were significant differences in plant height,stem diameter,leaf width,chlorophyll content,leaf area,fresh hay yield,CP,Ash,NDF and ADF among all varieties(P<0.05).Among 8 varieties,Tianyan 1 and Mulesi had much higher yield of the hay,which were 8 670 kg/hm2 and 7 877.5 kg/hm2 and increased by 49.4% and 42.3%,respectively,compared with local oat.Both varieties had a high quality in that their stem diameter was 4.74 mm and 4.53 mm,and crude pro-tein content was 7.80% and 7.83%,respectively.[Conclusion]Among 8 varieties,Mulesi and Tianyan 1 was better in the comprehensive performance,which was suitable for local planting and extension.The re-sults could serve as basis data and scientific reference for oat planting in Yanchi region and other agro-pastoral ecotone of Ningxia.