Adaptation Trial of Oat (Avena sativa) Varieties in Dehana District, Northern Ethiopia

The experiment was conducted in Dehana District to identify the adaptable and high yielding oat accession (s). Data on dry matter yield (kg × m⁻²), dry matter (percentage), grain yield (kg × m⁻²), plant height (centimeter) and fresh weight (kg × m⁻²) were taken for the accessions of oat used (579-D-27, CI-8237, CI-8235, DZF- 00551 and 6710). A significance difference (p<0.05) was observed in the parameters of dry matter yield, grain yield and fresh weight but the other parameters did not show significant differences. The mean dry matter yield of CI-8237 (0.735 kg × m⁻²) was significantly higher than 579-D-27 (0.562 kg × m⁻²), 6710 (0.533 kg × m⁻²) and CI-8235 (0.506 kg × m⁻²) varieties. The mean fresh weight yield of CI-8237 (2.446 kg × m⁻²) was significantly higher than 6710 (1.819 kg × m⁻²) and CI-8235 (1.774 kg × m⁻²). The mean grain yield of DZ-00551 (0.283 kg × m⁻²) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than all the other varieties. At the end of the experiment a field day was prepared and all the participants of field day (100%) prefer the variety CI-8237 for its biomass yield. Hence, it can be concluded that the oat variety CI-8237 should be recommended to farmers of Dehana District and of similar climatic conditions in order to enhance livestock feed production.