INTRODUCTION

The 2009 UEOPN was grown at 8 locations in 6 states.  The overall nursey average average yield was 123.5 bu/A.  This nursery average is about 25 bu/A higher than the nursery averages of 97.2 bu/A in 2008 and 98.9 bu/A in 2007 and more comparable to the nursery averages attained in 2004 and 2005.  The highest yield was recorded at Brookings, South Dakota, with an average yield of 156.4 bu/A.  The lowest overall yield was recorded at Rosemount, Minnesota (79.3 bu/A), which had very dry conditions early in the growing season.

The South Dakota entry SD 070435 was the highest yielding entry over all locations.  This entry was also highest in groat yield, based on the 5 locations that submitted grain samples (Appendix B).

Coefficient of Variation (CV) and Least Significant Difference (LSD) values for yield are provided for each location in Table 5 "Average yield (bu/A), yield, and rank at stations reporting the 2009 UEOPN."  This information, plus the listing of "Plot Data" and "Comments on Growing Conditions" at individual locations should help in interpreting the results.

The groat percentages were determined by dehulling a 50-gram sample with a Codema oat dehuller.  The protein and oil samples were run on the Infratec 1255 Food and Feed Analyzer (whole seeds using near-infrared transmittance).  A standard regression for protein was made using a sub-set of samples, which was run on the Leco FP-428 nitrogen combustion apparatus.  The oil regression was based on NMR analyses.  Beta-glucan values were determined by chemical analysis using fluorescence spectrometry.

A  list of recently released cultivars including state or program of origin, assigned name, experimental line number in testing, nurseries tested in and pedigree can be found in Appendix C.  This list, in addition to being included in the annual reports, is to be maintained on the GrainGenes website:  http://wheat.pw.usda.gov/GG2/Avena/Oat_releases.html

We wish to thank Mitchell Wise and Laurie Herrin, USDA Cereal Crops Research Unit, Madison, WI, for analyses of groat protein, beta-glucan, and oil percentages.

This and past years' reports are available at:

http://wheat.pw.usda.gov/GG2/Avena/UE-MOPN.html.