Effects of the planting date and planting rate on the yield and related characters of ‘Intimidator’ oats on the Chengdu Plain

To explore the high-yield cultivation measures of ‘Intimidator’ oats (Avena sativa) on the Chengdu Plain, a two-factor complete experimental design with three planting dates and four planting rates was set up to study the effects of different dates and rates on the hay yield, plant height, stem-leaf ratio and lodging rate of ‘Intimidator’ oats. The results showed that the planting date had a significant effect on the stem-leaf ratio, plant height, and lodging rate (P < 0.05). Among the three planting dates, the stem-leaf ratio and leaves under the early planting treatment were the smallest, but the lodging rate was the highest. Additionally, the plant height under the middle planting treatment was the highest, but the stem-leaf ratio was the largest; In comparison, the late planting treatment was the most reasonable. Planting rate had a significant effect on the hay yield of ‘Intimidator’ oats (P < 0.05). When planting rate was 90 kg·hm^–2, the hay yield of oats was the highest, significantly higher than 60, 120, and 150 kg·hm^–2 (P < 0.05). A comprehensive analysis of the forage yield and related traits of ‘Intimidator’ oats on different dates was conducted. When the oats were planted in the Chengdu Plain, the best conditions were a late sowing date, and a sowing amount of 90 kg·hm^–2.