Comparison of yield and nutritional quality of two oat (Avena sativa) varieties grown in the alpine pastoral region of China

Oat (Avena sativa) is one of the main crops grown in pasture in the alpine pastoral regions of China. However, the yield and nutritional quality of most of the current local varieties are not optimum. High quality oat varieties are necessary to meet the local demand and to improve the productivity of oat cultivations in alpine pastures. In this study, we investigated agronomic traits and nutritional qualities of a local oat variety, Longyan 1, and a new improved oat variety, LENA, in the alpine pastoral region of Luqu County in the Qinghai Tibet plateau from 2013 to 2016. We found shorter plant growth period and faster maturation of the LENA oat variety compared with that of the local oat variety. The yield of fresh biomass and hay were 41 and 38% higher (P<0.05) in the LENA variety than the local variety, respectively. The crude protein (CP), calcium (Ca), and phosphorous (P) content of the LENA variety were likewise higher, but not significantly (P>0.05). The ether extract (EE) content of the LENA variety was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of the local variety. In contrast, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content were lower in the LENA variety than in the local variety, but only the NDF content was significantly different. Our results indicate that, in general, the productivity and nutritional quality of the LENA oat variety were better than that of the local oat variety. Therefore, we propose that LENA oat variety has a greater prospect to be used as high-quality oat variety in the alpine pastoral areas. Further research in wider alpine pasture regions is warranted to expand upon our findings.