Effects of genotype and environment on the physiochemical properties of Canadian oat varieties

The relationship between oat grain composition and physical attributes as influenced by oat genotype and Canadian growing environments was investigated. Thirty Canadian oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes, grown in three Canadian growing locations (Brandon, Manitoba; Portage la Prairie, Manitoba; and Lacombe, Alberta) over 2 consecutive years (2020-2021), were analyzed.

Analysis of variance showed that the protein, total starch, and amylose content were significantly affected by genotype, environment, and their interaction. A principal component analysis bi-plot illustrated that protein and total starch had an inverse relationship and were more affected by growing year, whereas amylose content had a negligible influence. The majority of genotypes were stable across environments but some genotypes, like CDC Morrison, were more influenced by different environments. Correlation analysis suggested that drought-like conditions early in the growing season generated oat genotypes that favored the accumulation of protein, β-glucan, and oil.

The results provide detailed information regarding the relationship between important oat chemical and physical traits and different growing environments, which can assist breeders to improve characteristics to obtain high-quality oat grains and thus high-quality end products. © 2025 His Majesty the King in Right of Canada and The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.