Agronomic evaluation and nutritive value of oat (Avena sativa) under rainfall restriction in the Andes

The aim of this study was to characterize eight oat genotypes under rainfall restriction based on their agronomic characteristics and their nutritive value. It was conducted in the central Andes of Peru where eight genotypes of forage oats (INIA901 Mantaro 15, INIA902 Africana, INIA903 Tayco, Junin-Jauja white, Centenario, Junin-Tarma dark, Junin-Jauja dark and Cayuse) under 0 and 60 percent rainfall restriction with 3 repetitions each were evaluated in a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement. There were 48 experimental units (4.8 square meters plots) and the rainfall restriction was set up by putting a rain out shelter on the field. A 95 percent confidence test found the nonexistence of interaction between oat genotypes and rainfall restriction. In addition, rainfall restriction decreases yield (ton DM/ha) from 4.3 +/- 0.7 to 3.0 +/- 1.0, and increases the percentage of protein significantly from 12.7 +/- 3.1 to 17.0 +/- 2.7. There was not found any significant effect among the other parameters such as neutral detergent fiber in which the level without restriction was 41.1 +/- 1.8 % and the level with restriction was 41.3 +/- 3.2 %, and also for the apparent in vitro digestibility of the organic matter fiber in which the level without restriction was 71,5 +/- 15,3 % and the level with restriction was 67.8 +/- 15.4 %. The two genotypes with the best drought resistance were Junin-Jauja dark and Centenario.