Selection parameters for improvement of green fodder yield and seed yield in oats (Avena sativa L.)

Eight advanced breeding lines of oats selected out of germplasm resources maintained in the gene bank of SKUAST-K, were evaluated along with the check Sabzaar, a high yielding variety released by SKUAST K in 1996, in a randomized block design with three replications Mean performance of the lines averaged over replications revealed that SKO 194 was earliest to mature followed by SKO 20 and Sabzaar. Perusal of variability parameters revealed that the range of variation was high in traits like seed yield/ha, seed breadth, tillers/m², seed length and green fodder yield as indicated by higher values of C.V %. The PCV and GCV values were higher for all traits except days to maturity. In all cases the PCV values were higher than their corresponding values of GCV understandably due to influence of environment on these traits. Heritability (b.s) estimates were generally high for all traits ranging from 79.236% for seed length to 97.228% for tillers/m². Genetic gain was high for all traits especially seed yield/ha, tillers/m², seed breadth, seed length and green fodder yield/ha. In the present study, green fodder yield/ha was highly correlated with plant height and tillers/m², while as seed yield/ha had significant positive correlation with seed breadth, 1000-seed weight, plant height and seed length. Since these traits have high GCV, heritability and genetic gain, these can be utilized for seeking improvement in green fodder and seed yield.