Analysis of adaptability for fodder yield, quality and physiological attributes in Oats (Avena sativa L.)

The combining ability of each of 11 parents and their 55 F1s for fodder yield, quality and physiological attributes were worked out in three diverse test locations. In most of the instances, the GCA and SCA interacted significantly with environments. The estimates of σ2gl revealed significant differences for all the characters except plant height, leaf-stem ratio, crude protein content and IVDMD. Highly significant differences were also exhibited among the estimates of σ2sl for all the characters. The σ2gl interaction were comparatively of lower magnitude for all the characters than their respective σ2sl showing better stability of GCA variances for all the traits. Among them, σ2gl interactions were not significant for plant height, leaf-stem ratio, crude protein and IVDMD of which GCA variances reflected much higher stability. The parents Kent, JHO 822, OS 240, OS 277 and UPO 212 showed stable performance for green fodder yield, dry matter content and crop leaf area. Five F1 hybrids namely, JHO 94-1/UPO 212, JHO 94-1/JHO 999, JHO 94-1/OS 240, OS 277/OL 966 and UPO 240/ OS 240 were found stable for green fodder yield and related attributes. The crosses, UPO 212/ EC 130639, JHO 94-1/ JHO 999, JHO 999/ OS 240, UPO 240/ OS 240 and UPO 240/ EC 130639 exhibited significant SCA effects and desirable per se performance for green fodder yield. These highly stable F1 hybrids could be exploited for production, developmental and quality traits in further breeding programme for getting them adapted under varying conditions.