Brazilian Oat Cultivars Grown without Pesticides for Use in Agroecologically-Based Production Systems

Abstract Strategies for evaluating oat leaf diseases and using cultivars for pesticide-free growing enable more sustainable managements with food safety. The objectives of this study were to determine the optimal timing for assessing genetic variability of resistance to leaf diseases among Brazilian oat cultivars through analysis of necrotic leaf area; and identify the most suitable cultivars for agroecologically-based production systems through analysis of grain yield and necrotic leaf area using adaptability and stability parameters. The experiment was carried out in Augusto Pestana, RS, Brazil, using a randomized block design with three replications for evaluating 22 Brazilian oat cultivars (recommended and no longer recommended for cultivation) grown under no fungicide applications, from 2015 to 2020. Necrotic leaf area was measured at 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120 days after plant emergence (DAE), using the WinDIAS software (Copyright 2012, Delta-T Devices Limited); grain yield was determined after harvesting grains with approximately 15% moisture. Regarding the necrotic leaf area analysis, the highest genetic variability of resistance to leaf diseases in the Brazilian oat cultivars evaluated was observed between 90 and 105 DAE. Regarding grain yield and necrotic leaf area, the oat cultivars URS Altiva, URS Charrua, UPFPS Farroupilha, and UPFA Gauderia stood out as the most suitable genetic resources for agroecologically-based production systems.