Genetic variation of agronomic traits in a global collection of oats (Avena sp.)

This study aimed to evaluate the variation in agronomic traits of 361 cultivated oat genotypes and to identify superior genotypes for oat breeding programs. The experiment was conducted as a simple square lattice design with two replications for two growing seasons (2018-2019 and 2019-2020) in Kermanshah, Iran. There was a significant difference among oat genotypes. The highest grain yield (GY) was obtained in the “OX87:080-2” and “LA Prevision” genotypes. Furthermore, genotypes “Rubida” and “VDO-931-1” were superior regarding the biomass. Several analyses were performed using the best linear unbiased prediction estimates. The correlation coefficients showed a significant positive relationship between GY and biomass, 1000-kernel weight (TKW), and the number of panicles per plot. Biomass was positively and significantly correlated with all studied traits, except TKW. The number of grains per panicle (NGPP) and TKW had the highest positive direct effects on the GY and NPPP imposed the highest positive indirect effect through TKW. While the highest negative indirect effect was exerted by the NGPP through the TKW. The results of pseudo-F for cluster analysis grouped genotypes in five separate groups. The fifth group had the highest values ​​for GY, biomass, TKW, and NPPP. So, these genotypes could be considered as qualified parents to produce superior lines in breeding programs.