Productivity and seed health of husked oats (Avena sativa L.) grown under different soil moisture conditions

Abstract

The present study investigated the effect of different soil moisture content levels (60 - 70% SWC (soil water capacity) - control; 30 - 35% SWC - water stress) on yields, gas exchange parameters, seed health, and protein fractions of husked oat grain. The study showed that water deficit resulted in a decrease in grain weight per plant and a reduction in the gas exchange rates, primarily the photosynthesis and transpiration rates. Cladosporium cladosporioides was the dominant species on oat kernels in both experimental treatment options and in both years of the study. The presence of Fusarium poae was also found. Higher contents of prolamin, albumin and globulin fractions were found in the oat grain harvested from plants grown under soil water deficit conditions.