B-1091 December 1969 TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION H. O. Kunkel, Acting Director, College Station, Texas CONTENTS Acknowledgments ........ ........................... Summary ........................................................ Introduction ................................................... Adaptation ..................................................... Uses ---------------------------------------------------------------- Culture ........................................................... Varieties .......................................................... Performance Trials ...... -_ Diseases ......................................................... Insects ............................................................ ..{ Weeds ................................... -- i Improvement of Oats .................................. Literature Cited ........................................... A CKZVO WLEDGMEN TS , These investigations were conduct, eratively by the Texas Agricultural Ex a Station and the Crops Research Divisio cultural Research Service, U.S. Depa Agriculture. Acknowledgment is herewith mad cooperation of the many people and taking part in the statewide small 1, formance trials: Lucas Reyes and Edw, Texas A&M University Agricultural p Station at Beeville; Eldon D. Cook Q Baird, Blackland Research Center, Keith A. Lahr and James Mulkey, Te University Agricultural Research S Chillicothe; Virgil Woodfin, Texas C versity Agricultural Research StationT Park; Oliver E. Smith, Texas A&M U Prairie View Experiment Station, Prai M. J. Norris and H. O. Hill, Texas ii versity Agricultural Research Cente. Gregor; and K. B. Porter, USDA Sou Great Plains Research Center at Bus ; Appreciation is expressed to Fran research pathologist, Crops Research ARS, USDA, College Station and A Tolar, pathologist, Plant Sciences -; Texas A&M University, College Stati0 gestions on the disease section. Appreciation is also expressed 5 Palmer, agricultural statistician-in-chai; Crop and Livestock Reporting Se ' Department of Agriculture, Austin, ‘j sion to use the maps and statistical i1 acreages and production. a be of the most widely grown crops in ised extensively for grain production, re, hay, silage, greenchop feeding 0% rposes. Duringthe 10-year period, average seeded acreage of oats was res, but the average harvested acre- 730,600 acres or approximately 39 he seeded acreage. Several factors ~ the low harvested acreage: use of lusively for forage purposes, severe ‘l g all or part of the growing season illing. Average production during as 18,720,500 bushels. p: are fall sown in Texas and used l sture during the winter months. If "p is to be harvested, the livestock ~ between February 15 and March a reages are grazed to maturity. A “e is spring sown in Northwest Texas. of favorable spring rainfall or fall-sown crop is winterkilled, the '0 acreage is increased. Oats are a j- feed grain, and most of the Texas for feed within the state. grown under a wide range of soil conditions from the 15-inch rain- fnorthwest Texas to the 50-inch rain- southeast Texas. Because of the 10f conditions and uses made of the liderable number of varieties are if d. tolerant winter-type varieties such i Norline, Cimmaron and others are 'nly to the high elevation and severe 'tions of northwest Texas. Less cold more rapidly growing intermediate I varieties can be used in the northern l tral and East Texas. Included in re New Nortex, Norwin, Alamo-X, ain and others. Less cold tolerant p. near-spring type varieties, such as lorida 500, Coronado, Cortez and j be fall sown in South Texas. gn-be fitted into rotation schemes to gbor and income in all parts of the i are usually seeded in the fall after ;0rn, grain sorghum, cotton or other The labor of seeding and harvesting nflict too greatly with any of these respond wen t-o improved farm pd to applications of fertilizer, giving aincreases in grain and forage yields. bug (an aphid). S UMMAR Y While the state grain yield average is low, this is in part due to the extensive use for grazing, especially late grazing, of the crop by livestock. Under good management practices, oats provide good grain yields, which when combined with forage value, allow them to compete in income with other crops in the areas. Winterkilling is a hazard of production, varying in importance with the area, but this can be reduced by keep- ing the crop dormant by grazing, applying phos- phate fertilizer in the fall to- stimulate root growth and practicing careful management. Diseases are important in oat production throughout the eastern half of the state. Through- out the southern part of the state, diseases may be limiting factors in grain production and in- strumental in reducing their value for forage. The major diseases are crown (leaf) and stem rust. The Helminthosporium rootrots are prev- alent and, occasionally, barley yellow dwarf, halo blight and powdery mildew cause significant losses in certain areas. The major insect pest of oats is the green- Several other aphid species attack the crop at times but are less damaging. The winter grain mite is a formidable pest in the eastern half of the state, and the brown wheat mite attacks all small grains in the west- ern part of the state some seasons. Armyworms and cutworms may damage the crop in the seed- ling state and when spring growth is very rank. Insecticides are now available for control of all of these insects when it is practical to use them. Performance tests are conducted at from 8 to 12 locations in the state each season. Data from these tests are used to make recommenda- tions on commercial varieties and to determine the range of adaptation of these and of experi- mental strains developed in the breeding pro- gram. Results of these tests are reported an- nually and summarized at intervals of 5 years. Breeding work to further improve varieties for Texas growers is in progress. The objectives include development of higher yielding varieties, control of diseases and insects through develop- ment of resistant varieties, improvment of for- age characteristics of adapted varieties and im- provement of grain quality. To- date, only lim- ited progress toward development of hybrid oats has been made. . r Area III IV CADAPTED OAT VARIETIES FOR GROWING AREAS Extension districts 1, 2 3,6,7 4,5 8, 9, 11 10, 12 Fall seeding Wintok, Norline, Norwin, Cimarron, Bronco Cimarron, Norwin, Bronco, Mustang, New Nortex, Ora, Alamo-X, Nora Ora, Nora, New Nortex, Norwin, Alamo-X, Moregrain Ora, New Nortex, Moregrain, Coronado, Cortez, Houston Florida 500, Suregrain, Houston, Coronado, Cortez, Alber Spring s -_ Cimarron, Norw° t Moregrain, Coro - A ‘_ Coronado, Cortez, Moregrain None recom None reconr [or THE MOST WIDELY GROWN CROPS in re used extensively for grain, winter 7 silage, greenchop feeding and other §While oats are an important cash p. in the areas of more concentrated their indirect contribution to farm “ugh their many forage uses often iceeds their value for grain. 1959-68, the seeded acreage of oats, raged 1,896,000 acres and the har- 3e, 730,600 acres. The largest acre- foted to oats in Texas was in 1957 p00 acres were seeded. The lowest y eage was in 1967 when only 315,000 harvested. The distribution of the Age of oats in Texas in 1968 is shown factors contribute to the lower har- jge in Texas in recent years. The is the increasing use of the crop or winter and spring livestock pas- ; all grains are the only crops which , succulent, high protein forage dur- Q Winterkilling and spring drouths ‘ of the fall-sown crop each season. Q hazards reduce the prospects for a 1.: crop or reduce stands, then addi- fes are grazed to maturity as the ical means of harvesting the crop. j between the seeded and harvested greater in South Texas, where rusts danger grain production, and in the ‘where livestock feed is at a premium. ADAPTATION grown under a wide range of soil conditions in Texas. Many varie- nd need to be grown because of not e range of conditions but also the for which the crop is seeded. Along either spring~type varieties or ittle cold tolerance can be fall sown Ipasture. Spring-type varieties also iiprofessor and small grain section leader, f h agronomist, Crops Research Division, ipartment of Agriculture, College Station; essor, Department of Soil and Crop Sci- Agricultural Experiment Station, College gronomist-in-charge, Texas A&M Univer- § l Research Station at Denton. Growing Oats in Texas I. M. Atkins, M. E. McDaniel and J. H. Gardenhirfi may be spring sown in northwest Texas. In north central Texas, varieties which can with- stand wide fluctuations in winter temperatures are needed. Damage by low temperature occurs about 1 year in 4 in this area and may range from minor leaf injury to complete destruction of the crop on thousands of acres. The Low Rolling and High Plains areas re- quire varieties with maximum cold tolerance. Be- cause temperatures in these areas, especially soil temperatures, are more uniformly low during the winter months, hardy varieties survive most seasons. Winterkilling is an important hazard, but when the crop is destroyed, a spring-sown crop may be substituted. The wide range in climatic conditions and length of_ growing season is shown for selected locations 1n Table 2. For example, the growing season at Beaumont is nearly 300 days, and an- nual rainfall is 54 inches. In contrast, at Ama- rillo in northwest Texas, the growing season is 185 days and precipitation is 20 inches while in parts of the Trans-Pecos area the precipitation averages less than 10 inches. OATS ACRES PLANTED 1968 ‘I Dot = 1,000 Acres Figure 1. Distribution of the seeded acreage of oats in Texas in 1968. 5 TABLE 1. SEEDED AND HARVESTED ACREAGES, AND PRODUCTION OF OATS IN TEXAS 1959- Fa Acreage Production Yield, bushels Year Seeded Harvested bushel5 P91‘ 3W9 P91’. 1959 2,173,000 942,000 21,195,000 22.5 1960 1,825,0C0 942,000 24,492,000 26.0 1961 2,062,000 1,074,000 28,998,000 27.0 1962 2,186,000 655,000 14,082,000 21.5 1963 2,208,000 616,000 12,628,000 20.5 1964 1,899,000 752,000 21,808,000. . 29.0 1965 1,994,000 797,000 19,925,000 ' 25.0 1966 1,635,000 630,000 17,640,000 28.0 1967 1,357,000 315,000 6,615,000 21.0 1968 1,628,000 583,000 19,822,000 34.0 Average 1,896,700 730,600 18,720,500 25.6 ‘Data supplied by the Texas Crop and Livestock Reporting Service, Austin, Texas. Because of this wide diversity in climatic USES conditions, the state has been divided into five research testing areas, Figure 2. Also for con- venience, these testing areas encompass and coincide with Texas Agricultural Extension Serv- ice Districts. Since land use areas do not exactly fit these areas, these lines are only approximate limitations. One or more performance trials are grown in each research area. The seeded and harvested acreages and oats production, grouped by re- search testing areas, are given in Table 3. Data were taken from the reports of Crop Statistics of the U.S. Crop Reporting Service (18). Ex- tension districts do not coincide exactly with the crop reporting districts of this agency; therefore,- data were not summarized as they appear in Crop Statistics. TABLE 2. ELEVATION AND SELECTED CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA FOR RESEARCH STATIONS IN Grain Almost all oat grain produced in ., utilized as feed for livestock within The large areas devoted to livestock o, provide a good marketfor surplus :9 duced in other parts ‘of the state. Also; increase in the number of riding horses. years provides an additional marke grain. Oats have been known as one I balanced and desirable grain feeds livestock and breeding stock. Large are used as scratch grain for poultry, larger quantities are used in commer feeds for all classes of livestock. Th analysis of oats and several other crops are given in Table 4. Avera- e . Precipitation, Leng-th Number of First Eleva- years Growing Maxi- Mini- Mean growing fall Location tion record Annual season‘ mum mum season frost Area I: Perryton 2930 20.4 12.0 70.7 42.1 57.0 185 Oct. 22 Bushland 3825 26 18.3 11.0 72.0 42.0 57.0 192 Oct. 28 Plainview 3370 36 19.0 11.9 73.7 45.7 59.7 206 Nov. 2 Wellington 2320 23.1 15.7 74.0 Area II: Iowa Park 978 43 29.2 21.4 78.0 51.7 64.5 211 Nov. 29 Chillicothe 1406 63 24.4 17.0 76.6 50.2 63.4 217 Nov. 6 Abilene , 1750 83 24.3 13.6 76.0 53.0 64.5 229 Nov. 13 El Paso 3641 19 6.9 3.7 79.0 44.8 61.9 238 Oct. 31 » Area III: Denton 621 44 32.3 24.9 77.5 52.6 64.2 237 Nov. 15 Stephenville 1466 27 26.9 23.8 77.1 53.3 65.2 239 Nov. 13 Overton 520 63 43.9 28.7 76.3 55.3 65.8 249 Nov. 17 Area IV: _ McGregor 713 34 31.6 27.6 , Temple 740 56 34.0 27.3 78.9 55.6 67.3 252 Nov.22 , Area V: f, College Station 308 78 39.8 30.1 79.1 57.1 68.2 263 Nov. 27 . Prairie View 250 18 39.3 30.6 76.0 57.0 67.0 263 Nov. 30 a Beaumont 26 55 54.1 39.5 78.3 58.5 68.5 276 Nov. 28 Beeville 240 78 29.8 22.2 82.1 60.0 70.9 291 Dec. 6 j Weslaco 100 25 27.3 19.9 311 Dec. 23 " ‘September through May. 6 IT..;%%§§QGEQS AND PRODUCTION OF OATS BY EXTENSION DISTRICTS AND RESEARCH TESTING ', 1 68‘ Percent of seeded esearch Percent of State Produc- acreage _;j,_testing Acreage Acreage Total Total tion harvested ,1?" area Land use area seeded harvested seeded harvested bushels for grain I Northern High Plains 13,510 7,590 0.83 1.30 205,090 56.2 I Southern High Plains 16,720 6,590 1.03 1.13 181,420 39.4 II Northern Low Rolling Plains 150,600 81,770 9.21 14.02 2,987,000 54.3 i: II Trans-Pecos 8,350 4,230 0.51 0.73 158,300 50.7 II Southern Rolling Plains and 301,280 184,070 18.50 31.50 6,440,300 61.1 Edwards Plateau e III North Central Blacklands, 242,950 106,580 14.91 18.28 4,060,900 43.9 Prairies and Cross Timbers Y III Northeast Texas Timberlands 34,280 8,100 2.11 1.47 282,550 23.6 .IV Central Blacklands, Prairies 374,950 149,820 23.00 25.63 4,588,700 40.0 and Cross Timbers l IV Central East Timberlands 50,630 1,390 3.11 0.24 37,700 2.7 IV Upper Coast and Southeast 86,750 2,210 5.33 0.38 48,730 2.5 Texas Timberlands V South Central Blacklands, 212,500 12,150 13.05 2.08 303,400 5.7 Prairies and Coastal Bend V Rio Grande Plain, 134,770 18,330 8.28 3.15 502,700 13.6 g South Texas reference, Palmer (18). ANALYSIS OF SOME TEXAS-GROWN GRAINS‘ Nitrogen Productive Crude free Digestable energy for Protein fibre extract Water Ash nutrients 100 pounds . 11.4 12.8 58.6 8.6 3.7 8.9 70.5 a 12.0 6.3 67.5 9.3 2.8 9.6 74.4 is? 10.4 4.4 72.5 9.1 1.3 6.4 84.8 i‘ hum 11.1 2.9 70.9 10.7 1.9 8.1 84.8 I 14.0 1 7 69.4 - 10.0 1.9 11.3 78.8 s Agri. Expt. Sta. Bul. 461, “The Composition and Utilizationlof Texas Feeding Stuffs”. m, Research Extension Winter Pasture I1 area districts _ . "'1 ‘a - 11 1%, The high value of oats as a Winter pasture __':T'_I-"_i1:_'_1if'_1f;‘; 151 323:“ for all classes of livestock has been recognized ___I*___1":__L; m v 1012 for many years, Figure 3. The acreage of oats ...... ...|._ .11.: _,,_ has declined less in Texas than in most other ___ 31......“ I1i.._....g1.._1_1§.4(..1...;___ m states; one reason is the favor with which oats '~‘ ~— 3%.. at“ ... ... .;....'....1I..-i1 .. are held as a Winter asture cro . Live o k M Ill -._.--~1 71.7; -1,..,,___1,_ f t b l P 11 S1 c .... ............-..-1-=.-_-~ e.--~-¢;1T-,;--~._.,._fi_ 11.....- pre er_ oa s to ar ey or rye and, under many .... m“..- - W1 ---_....‘;; ""~-i-T- '°'__"__ it"? conditions, they prefer oats to Wheat. a “wmmi-wggrlwl ‘.31. _.-3°-_““"°‘m in" 11--T*‘- ~- ""21; 1<- . “Z1. ""11. ma °"°"‘"' w“? l ‘n. m-FET“ mu“ ' 1::'l;::.r "' F" lbw- ~--~ ‘irmt... M \- 1.11mi“; x“ .41.: \\l'_1___“ .___. fir‘ f; “A, ""' ‘m’ ‘m m” ~- “Qf-“y “ma, 0...} "' _.. .... i...‘ ~- 3w» f 4m w... ‘>11 ~39 I14 Detn “lfil-“évlfiluumtl . 110 - ' - 015. Sherman I'm“ 21?: 3221232. l I18. Temple _ gufmmnw I ll3:§$l!i1Z1?Z§‘°" a; ,1;7~4: 21. B n g. “a... "“" :22. " ""=-»- 023. Robstown I24. Crysta1 City I25. Hes1aco “10 Texas Agricu1tura1 Experiment Station (Finn Research Sites i; Small grains a.nd flax research areas and test- H '1 '1 l. M " '1 '1 A ' ' I '11s. Figure 3. Cattle grazing on fall-sown oats at Temple. 49° Researchion management practices 0f small grains for forage is reported by Holt (13), Holt and Norris (14), Atkins (7) and in reports from several locations (8, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22). Experiments have shown that from 3,000 to 6,000 pounds of air-dry forage per acre may be pro- duced under average conditions in many parts of the state. Under irrigation and with adequate fertilization, production can be raised to 10,000 pounds per acre if weather conditions are favor- able. Marion, Fisher and Jones (15) report that calves wintered on small grain pasture in 10 of 14 years at Spur made the second highest aver- age winter gain, the third highest summer gain and the highest total winter and summer gain of those compared. Varieties differ considerably in their pro- duction of forage and in the time at which they produce the maximum amount. They likewise differ in response to temperatures, some produc- ing little forage during very cold weather. Grow- ers should select the varieties best adapted to their forage needs. The differences in seedling growth habit of three varieties, representing the three types available, are illustrated in Figure 4. Houston, an erect growing type is representative of the near-spring type. New Nortex (center) represents the moderately hardy, intermediate growth habit. Bronco (right) represents the narrow leaf prostrate growing seedling of most of the hardy strains. A general classification of seedling growth habit of varieties is given in a later section. Average production of air-dry for- age at representative locations in Texas is given in Table 5, together with yields of wheat, bar- ley and rye for comparison. Additional details of varieties may be obtained at the nearest field unit of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Greenchop feeding of oats is practiced on a limited scale in Texas. By this method, oats are allowed to develop sufficient growth to be cut with a field ensilage cutter. The chopped feed is hauled to feedlots for dairy or beef ani- mals. Only enough is cut each time to supply the daily needs. The harvesting proceeds across the field as needed, and the harvested portion is allowed to regrow to a considerable height be- fore being cut again. Often fertilizer is applied, TABLE 5.’ FORAGE PRODUCTION OF SELECTED OAT VARIETIES COMPARED WITH WHEAT, AND RYE PRODUCTION, AT SELECTED TEXAS STATIONS (HOLT) i» Figure 4. Growth-habit types of oats: erect s (left), intermediate winter (center) and wi' (right). . or if water is available, the field may ; gated to stimulate regrowth. Varieties =1 their ability to recover from such -., clipping. Erect-growing types may be , more than prostrate growing types hi‘ clipping or close grazing. Oats in the soft dough stage of gro be used for ensilage, either alone or in .5 A good oat crop will yield from 6 to t silage per acre. Some growers find it p to add dry corn, dry hay or stover to y _ as supplements. Oats can be made earlier in the season than other cro i may be especially valuable for dairymj those carrying other livestock through a? drouth. -, v Oats alone, or in mixtures with sw‘ or other legumes, make a valuable hay c‘ crop should be cut while the leaves are still green and the grain is in the s stage. Curtis, et al. (11) found that ties yielded from 3 to 5 tons per acre quality hay under Oklahoma condition cut in the soft dough stage, oats produ‘ palatable hay of higher feeding valu more mature crop. Oat straw is not most palatable and nutritious of cer but is also useful for bedding. 4 Oats may be turned under for gree and Wlll produce more tonnage during months than any other crop. There Comparable forage yields, pounds dry matter per acre New Cordova Quanah Location and period Mustang Bronco Alamo Nortex barley wheat Denton, three seasons, 1956-58 3,440 3,530 3,300 2,770 2,460 2,690 3 Nacogdoches, six seasons, 1952-58 4,650 4,860 4,190 4,500 4,160 3,690‘ .- McGregor, five seasons, 1953-58 5,110 4,960 4,250 4,510 5,130 4,730 Temple, six seasons, 1952-58 2,600 2,800 3,040 3,020 2,470‘ College Station, four seasons, 1955-58 4,280 4,210 4,200 4,650 3,920 4,460‘ Beeville, six seasons, 1952-58 2,230 2,020 2,400 2,100 2,070 7 Beaumont, four seasons, 1953-58 4,790 4,450 4,170 4,580 4,140 4,660‘ ‘Atlas 66 wheat. ‘Abruzzi rye. 8 ‘MPARATIVE YIELDS OF FALL-SOWN f; OWN NEW NORTEX OATS IN COM- ,-. SONS OF NO WINTERKILLING Mean yield, bushels per acre Fall-sown Spring-sown n seasons 57.7 38.3 "seasons 53.2 31.5 , en seasons 36.3 13.0 ted, four seasons 71.0 72.1 emanagement when a large tonnage ure is plowed down before a sum- _h as cotton or grain sorghum, but _ s are not insurmountable. The g"brous roo-ts of oats give a good dis- .-.organic matter in the soil, and the uced during the winter is greater roduced by vetch or winter peas. ‘f the crop before plowing and addi- gen fertilizer will assist in decaying '< anure crops. Oats are a valuable icrop for sweetclover in the Central _+ Blacklands of Texas. They may as a cover crop for wind or water rol. CULTURE tural operations fo-r oats are similar p» for other small grains. Best re- gtained when well-adapted varieties fertile, well-drained soil with proper ‘paration and adequate fertilization. l Rotation i, principal oat growing areas of Cen- ‘ oats may follow any of the major corn, grain or forage sorghum or on is an ideal crop to precede oats usually firm and free of weeds and Ytion of the oat seedbed is inexpensive. ,; es sufficiently early to permit good paration for fall-sown oats. Sor- ss desirable as crops to precede oats e depletion of summer moisture and »: of crop residues. Sorghum stover, mbine harvesting the grain, should p; immediately and plowed down with ATES AND DATES FOR SEEDING OATS an application of nitrogen to assist in decaying the stubble. Oats may be used as a companion crop for sweetclover in testing areas III and IV. The clover may be either fall or spring sown in a separate operation as it should be seeded very shallow. After the oats are harvested, the clover may produce a hay, pasture or seed crop. Oats may be spring sown following cotton, grain sorghum or corn in Area I. Fall-sown oats cannot follow these crops as the oats must be sown before the other crops are harvested. With proper control of volunteer plants, oats may follow wheat or barley in this area, or they may be placed on fallowed ground. Oats should not follow oats or other small grains in Central Texas because of volunteer grain and wild oats. Volunteer plants cause un- desirable mixtures, and wild oats may become a serious weed pest. Both type plants provide host material for early infestation of insects or disease infection which may spread to the seeded crop. Fall Versus Spring Seeding Marked changes have taken place in farm practices in recent years. Thirty years ago, at least half of the oats in Texas were spring seeded. Several factors have contributed to the change to almost exclusive fall seeding of oats in Texas. These include increased emphasis on use of the crop for winter pasture, the develop- ment of more winter hardy varieties, the shift of cotton acreage to West Texas and the devel- opment of machinery which facilitates rapid harvest of crops, destruction of residues and preparation of seedbeds. Fall seeding permits use of the crop for winter pasture and, in addi- tion, the crop produces higher yields and better quality grain than from spring seeding. Yields of New Nortex oats from fall and spring seeding for comparable years at four locations are given in Table 6. Rate and Date of Seeding Rates and dates of seeding vary consider- ably depending upon the location and the use of the crop. Suggested rates and dates by testing areas are given in Table 7. The livestock pro- ducer or dairyman may find it practical to seed Rates, pounds per acre‘ , Extension Seeding Date Fall When sown for grain and When sown for grazing districts Non-irrigated Irrigated only forage Spring 1, 2 64 96 Sept. 1 Sept. 1 Mar. 1 3, 6, 7 64 96 Sept. 1 Oct. 1 Feb. 15 4, 5 80 Sept. 15 Oct. 15 Feb. 1 None 8, 9, 11 80 Sept. 15 Oct. 15 recommended ' None 10, 12 80 Oct. 1 Nov. 15 recommended t‘ ‘ng sown oats should be increased from 16-32 pounds per acre for each area. TABLE 8. AVERAGE YIELDS OF THREE VARIE- TIES OF OATS SOWN AT FIVE RATES OF SEEDING AT DENTON, 1953-55 Average yield of grain, bushels per acre Rate of seeding, New pounds Alamo Nortex Mustang 64 49.1 33.5 43.8 80 50.1 34.6 45.1 96 48.0 33.4 42.2 112 47.5 33.4 41.4 128 47.6 34.6 42.2 as soon as moisture is available or to seed in dry soil in anticipation of effective rains. If irrigation water is available, the crop may pos- sibly be established as soon as soil temperatures are suitable in the fall. The grain producer who does not plan to use the crop for supplemental livestock pasture should delay seeding until much later. An early seeded crop, which is not pastured, may deplete the soil moisture and produce excessively rank plants that may be damaged by low tempera- tures. Very late seeding also is undesirable be- cause the plants may not establish good root systems before cold weather occurs. Rate of seeding is relatively unimportant for grain production of fall-sown oats because the plants have several months in which to tiller and compensate for thin stands. Table 8 gives yields of three varieties grown at five rates of seeding in two seasons at Denton, showing that rates of seeding made no significant difference in grain yields. Higher rates of seeding may be desirable for maximum forage production and for grain production under irrigation, where moisture is not a limiting factor in yield. Yields of forage at three clipping dates for four seeding rates at Winter Haven, Table 9, show important increases in first clipping forage yields from the higher rates of seeding. There was no advantage for the higher rates at the later clippings or for the total seasonal production. Higher rates of seed- ing are desirable on soils of low fertility because plants will tiller less on such soils, and weeds may become a problem. TABLE 9. EFFECT OF SEEDING RATE ON AIR- DRY FORAGE PRODUCTION OF IRRIGATED OATS AT WINTER HAVEN, TEXAS, 1952-53 (HOLT) Average yield of forage, pounds per acre Rate of Early Mid- Early seeding winter winter spring Total 48 pounds 3,110 2,380 4,050 9,540 64 pounds 3,060 2,790 3,480 9,330 80 pounds 3,380 1,740 3,480 8,600 96 pounds 4,400 2,010 3,680 10,090 10 TABLE 10. FERTILIZER RESPONSE OF i GRAINS IN GRAIN, FORAGE AND SILAGE ‘ TION AT SELECTED LOCATIONS IN TEXA Forage yield, pounds per acre of o: Temple, 1962-68 No fer- (10) tilizer 15-30-0 30-30-0 a Oats forage, five clippings 2697 _ 2514 3959 McGregor, 1963-67 No fer- ".1 (16) tilizer ‘120-40-0 40-40-0 ‘ Oats, forage 2002 3208 4146 .- Oats, grain 38.3 49.1 60.7 . Denton, 1950-53 No fer- i (8) tilizer 30-0-0 30-60-0 j Wheat, forage 557 493 1562 . Wheat, grain 28.3 32.4 37.4 E College Station No fer- 1960-64 (7) tilizer 20-40-40 40-40-40 . Oats forage, '- two clippings 833 1196 1397 Oats silage, tons per acre 8.1 9.6 10.7 - Fertilizers Oats respond with increased grain age yields to the application of commer lizers or barnyard manure if moisture vironmental factors are favorable. amounts 0f nitrogen may increase lo-d’ some conditions, Figure 5. Fortunate" ties with greater straw strength are A able and permit the practical use of mi lizer. Data showing the response toii in increased forage, silage and grain p0 at several locations are given in Table Specific recommendations on ferti not be given here. A soil test by Soil Testing Laboratory and a confe - county agents or personnel at the a search unit will provide information f_ cific location. I Winterkilling Winterkilling of the crop, thinning v or damage to foliage by low tempera important hazards of oat production Damage to some degree occurs on an a one year in four, varying with the. =_ area. Complete destruction of the Figure 5. Lodging of oats, a serious proble occurred in 1935, 1943, 1947, 1949, j 963. During 1963 an estimated 45 ‘the oat crop of Texas was lost during ,riod of 10w temperatures in January. a revenue from grain and forage was ‘to exceed 27 million dollarsl. Varie- i eater cold tolerance have recently be- ble and do reduce this hazard. How- ore hardy varieties became available, ‘ of the crop was extended farther s at winterkilling remains a hazard in fall-sown oat crop that is well estab- p. growing in fertile soil is less fre- a aged by 10W temperatures than one iblished or growing on poor soil. Rank, a lants in unpastured fields also are ly winterkilled. Adequate available p; stimulates good root development and ucing winterkilling. At Temple, in o~ Nortex oats survived low tempera- a good stand when phosphorus was h the seed at planting time, but the unfertilized portion of the field had ned to approximately 30 percent, Fig- ies vary greatly in their tolerance to l highest degree of resistance to low es is found in winter-type varieties intok and Norline. Less hardy, but sficiently hardy for the main oat grow- are New Nortex, Alamo-X and others. f low cold tolerance are Houston and growing types. The rating for cold i, commercial varieties is given in a n. The value and effectiveness of cold a illustrated in “Figure 7. At Iowa Park ronco and Mustang survived a tem- p 0°F. and yielded 59.7 and 44.1 bush- respectively, when all other varieties completely destroyed. a mate compiled by the authors from reports gents. Figure 6. Survival at low tempera- tures of New Nortex oats at Temple in 1948; unfertilized, left; phosphorus banded with the seed, right. Harvesting Because oats have weaker straw than wheat or barley, they present additional problems in harvesting. Storms, wind and rain may cause severe lodging which increases the cost of har- vesting and may reduce grain quality. New varieties, such as Houston, Alamo-X, Coronado and others will stand for direct combine harvest- ing much better than New Nortex and others with weaker straw. When leaf diseases attack the crop, the straw is weakened which increases the chances of lodging. Nearly all varieties break over soon after they become fully ripe. Under some conditions, it may be more prac- tical to windrow the crop and thresh it a few days later, Figure 8. Windrowing is preferred if the crop is lodging, if weeds are a problem or if humidity or other factors prevent the prompt harvest of the ripe grain. The crop is usually damaged less by rains when in the windrow than when standing fully ripe. For storage, the grain should not contain more than 13 percent mois- ture. If grain drying equipment is used to dry excessively moist grain, the drying temperature Figure 7. Cold tolerance of Mustang and Bronco oats at Iowa Park, 1951. Survival of Bronco was 92 percent, yield 59.7 bushels; survival of Mustang was 60 percent, yield 44.1 bushels. New Nortex and other varieties were almost completely killed. ll Figure 8. Windrowing oats (top) fol threshing from windrow (bottom) for oat seed production. should not be above 105° F. or the viability of the seed may be damaged. Storage of grain with a high moisture content provides favorable lowed by combine conditions for damage by storage, ins molds and other fungi. I VARIETIES Due to the wide range of climatic co and uses of oats in Texas, a considerable of varieties are needed to provide adapte ties for each area. The estimated w varieties grown in Texas in 19682, sum by testing areas, are given in Table 11 Moregrain and New Nortex are the most varieties and together make up 67.1 peg the total seeded acreage. The pedigrees, date and state of origin are given in For convenience in making comparison characteristics of the varieties are listed i 13. Winter Hardy Varieties Oat culture was not successful in, before 1860 because the only varietie, able were spring-type varieties brought I northern states. These were susceptible drouth, heat and diseases. The Red R. oats were introduced about 1865 and established themselves as the domina grown. An estimated 500,000 acres of grown in Texas in 1888, 1 million acres and almost 2 million in 1921. However, rieties lacked sufficient cold tolerance i, sown in northwest Texas. During the f years, through plant breeding efforts in states, varieties have become availabl make fall seeding of oats much less h in north and northwest Texas. This : varieties includes Wintok, Winter Excel, I; iPrivate estimate based on local estimates made i agents and data on file. > TABLE 11. ACREAGES AND PERCENT OF TOTAL FOR OAT VARIETIES GROWN IN TEXAS IN 191 Research testing area I II III IV V Extension district 1, 2 3, 6, 7 4, 5 8, 9, 11 10, 12 Total Varieties Alamo-X 1,040 107,746 5,515 36,132 12,055 159,488 Alber 50 18,650 18,710 Arkwin 5,136 11,205 16,341 Bronco 1,512 27,788 16,575 9,500 300 55,675 Cimarron , 3,506 53,203 36 300 57,050 Coronado a 712 3,820 1,260 5,792 Dubois 828 3,683 3,750 8,261 Florida 500 400 960 1,360 Houston 8,010 8,010 Kanota 750 750 Moregrain 1,318 59,680 56,680 121,254 135,990 374,922 Mustang 2,556 28,674 10,575 10,285 2,850 54,940 New Nortex 2,537 72,773 88,213 169,727 15,175 348,426 Nortex 107 10 2,075 1,385 1,870 5,100 10,440 Nora 0 11,975 4,750 9,275 0 26,000 Norline 0 200 0 0 0 200 Norwin 810 10,021 3,000 200 0 14,031 Ora 3,250 133,032 124,390 192,515 67,345 520,532 Suregrain 580 17,648 2,370 25,740 82,120 128,458 Taggart 0 3,164 500 12,330 300 16,294 Wintok 422 2,200 0 0 0 2,632 Others 30 4,854 1,350 2,728 14,850 23,812 l2 TEDIGREE OF AND STATE RELEASING COMMERCIAL VARIETIES OF OATS GROWN IN TEXAS State developing Year or releasing released Pedigree Texas 1954 Fulghum-Victoria x Victoria-Hajira-Banner Texas 1962 Selection from irradiated Alamo Louisiana 1942 Introduced from Argentina Arkansas 1951 Tennessee 1922 x Bond~Iogold Texas 1956 Fulwin x Lee-Victoria Oklahoma 1955 Woodward Oat Composite, C.I.3527 selection Texas 1967 [Santa Fe-Clinton x Hajira-Joanette] x [New Nortex- Landhafer) x (Black Mesdag x ab 101)] Texas 1968 do. Indiana A 1952 Clinton x Forkedeer Florida 1967 Florad x Coker 58-7, C.I.7403 Tennessee Selection from Winter Type Fulghum . Texas 1965 [Fulwin-Lee-Victoria x Red Rustproof-Victoria-Richland] x [Bond-Rainbow-Hajira-Joanette x Landhafer] So. Carolina‘ 1962 Arlington-Delair-Trispermia x Bond-Fulghum-Victorgrain Texas 1954 Fulwin x Lee-Victoria Texas 1936 Selection from Appler Red Rustproof Texas 1926 Selection from Texas Red Rustproof Arkansas 1967 [(Lee-Victoria-Fulwin x Bonda) x Landhafer] x Moregrain Indiana 1960 Lee-Victoria x Forkedeer’ Texas 1967 Colo-Wintok x (Hajira-Joanette x Atlantic-Clinton-Santa Fe) Arkansas 1964 [(Lee-Victoria-Fulwin x Bonda) x Landhafer] x Moregrain Georgia 1960 Victorgrain x [(Bond-Rainbow-Hajira-Joanette) x Landhafer] So. Carolina 1962 (Arlington x Delair) x Trispermia Arkansas 1948 Fulghum x Bond Oklahoma 1940 Hairy Culberson x Winter Fulghum Oklahoma’ 1956 Unknown ind distributed by the Coker Seed Company, Hartsville, South Carolina. Joseph Doane, private plant breeder. ‘VSUMMARY OF CHARACTERISTICS OF THE "MORE IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL OAT VARIETIES W AS CONDITIONS Growth Seedling Leaf Hardiness Plant Straw habit‘ characteristics width” rating3 height Maturity strength I erect W + + tall early strong I erect W + + + tall midseason strong I moderately erect I + + tall late strong IW moderately erect NI + + + + tall late strong W prostrate N + + + + + tall very late strong IW moderately erect NI + + + + + medium early weak I do. I + + tall midseason strong I do. I + + tall early strong W prostrate N + + + + + tall late strong IS erect W + + tall midseason strong W prostrate N + + + + + tall late strong IS erect W + + short early strong I erect WI + + + medium midseason strong IW moderately erect NW + + + + medium early moderately weak IW do. N + + + medium late weak IW do. N + + + medium late weak W do. N + + + + short midseason strong W prostrate N + + + + + medium late strong IW moderately erect NI + + + + + short early medium I do. I + + + medium midseason strong IS erect W + short early strong ISA erect W + short early strong I i erect W + + medium early strong ; W prostrate N + + + + + medium midseason weak i e1 W prostrate N + + + + + medium midseason weak bit‘ types: W I Winter; IW I Winter, approaching intermediate; I I intermediate; IS I intermediate, ap- ‘I Pnng- . . . . . . . . p, types: W I Wide; WI I wide, approaching intermediate; I I intermediate; NW I narrow, approaching in- ; N I narrow. _ ting + lowest; +++++ highest. l3 Norline, Forkedeer, Dubois, Bronco, Arkwin and Mustang. Classification of cold tolerance of varieties is difficult because the degree of hardiness depends so much on the environmental conditions under which they are grown. Within the groups shown in Table 13, there are additional subdivisions based on hardiness. Wintok, Winter Excel and Norline are the most hardy. Cimarron, Dubois, Forkedeer and Bronco are slightly less hardy than the first three and Mustang and Arkwin are somewhat less hardy than Bronco. All these varieties are adapted to fall seeding in the north- ern Low Rolling and High Plains, Areas I and II. All are very susceptible to leaf and stem rust, but these diseases are not usually of major importance in these areas. Cimarron and Nor- win have leaves which are more upright and broader than those of the other cold tolerant varieties, characteristics which make them well suited for planting for winter pasture. Bronco is a tall variety which is well adapted for hay or grass silage because of the high tonnage it will produce. Moderately Hardy Varieties Varieties within this group also vary in cold tolerance but, because they produce more upright growing seedlings, many are better suited for winter pasture use than most varieties of the hardy group. Nora and Ora are the most hardy within this group, followed by a second subgroup of Alamo-X, Moregrain and New Nortex. New . Nortex is only moderately hardy, yet it has the ability to tiller and recover well when it is thinned by low temperatures. Coronado and Cortez have not been tested sufficiently to ac- curately evaluate their hardiness. All varieties of this group, except New Nortex, have strong straw and under most conditions may be direct combine harvested. New Nortex usually should be windrowed for threshing. Alamo-X has some resistance to stem rust, and all varieties, except New Nortex, have resistance to some races of crown rust. All are susceptible to some new races of both rusts. Varieties of Low Cold Tolerance ‘Within this group there also are degrees of hardiness. The most cold tolerant of this group are Taggart and Alber, which, if adequately hardened, will survive moderate winter tempera- tures. Houston and Suregrain are very tender, and the exact rating of Florida 500 under Texas conditions is not yet known. All varieties of this group grow rather upright in the seedling stage and have broad leaves. All have good straw strength. Considering present races of crown rust, Florida 500 and Suregrain have the best resistance although these were attacked by cer- tain new races or biotypes in 1968. Alber has a tolerant, slow rusting characteristic which has enabled a small acreage to persist in South Texas for many years. All varieties of this group are susceptible to stem rust. 14 Spring-type Varieties Q The common white or yellow-seeded, sativa L., oats of spring-growth habit oft west or Corn Belt are not sufficiently col ant to be fall sown in most parts of a They can be grown in Area V for livest ture but, unless very carefully manage are damaged by grazing and may soon be Also, they can be used the High Pla spring seeding. However, as will be poin later, they are not superior to local inter r type varieties for this purpose. » PERFORMANCE TRIALS F all-sown Oats Intrastate performance trials of smal are conducted at locations representative growing areas in the state as part of t grain improvement program. Varieties perimental strains are included in these i determine their range of adaptation a“ parative performance. These results are a basis for variety recommendations to _ The five testing areas, with one or two t, tions in each, were shown in Figure 2. Yields and agronomic data are su r each season (5) and published for varyi ods of years (6). A brief summary ¢ parable yields and agronomic data are : accompanying tables. All varieties are in all years or at all stations. In order g l pare varieties grown for varying periods a comparable figure, based on a standa , of varieties grown for the full period c, was calculated for each variety. By m correction factor suggested by Patter data on varieties grown for less than » number of years were adjusted so that :-, ties may be directly compared. Perf trials are conducted in four-row, 12-foot plots with four replications. As strains. sidered for release, they may be grown ' field plots for more extensive observ agronomic characteristics. AREA I, The High Plains (Exte tricts 1 and 2) : As shown in Table 2, _ is a high plateau of 3,000 to 4,000 feet ‘y with annual rainfall of about 18 inch acreages of wheat, sorghum and cotton gated. Only about 2 percent of the s =_‘ oat acreage is grown in this area. Sol seeded, and some is spring seeded. 3 made at Bushland throughout the period] Table 14. Less extensive tests were at Floydada from 1956-60 and at Plai Etter in 1966 and 1967, Table 15. '* oat tests were winterkilled in 1963 and‘ damaged by low temperatures in 196 data indicate that Wintok, Norwin, t, Dubois, Norline, Bronco and Mustan‘ well adapted to fall seeding in this a; vival data show that New Nortex, F' Mustang are somewhat less hardy f somewhat less. Cimarron was the high _ SHLAND, TEXAS 1956-68‘ COMPARABLE GRAIN YIELDS AND AGRONOMIC DATA FOR IRRIGATED, FALL-SOWN OAT VA- Number Grain yield, Test weight, Date Plant Winter years bushels pounds per first height, survival, Lodging, tested per acre bushel head inches percent percent 10 84.2 34.6 5-7 31.6 60 11 10 76.7 34.8 5-13 36.2 79 54 10 81.4 35.0 5-10 32.4 50 33 10 80.7 1 99.4 35.4 5-14 32.7 48 10 85.9 33.2 5-17 35.9 64 37 10 93.4 36.1 5-7 30.2 78 19 1 63.0 33.1 26.1 4 93.1 37.1 5-13 32.6 65 7 5 72.0 34.4 5-10 29.1 49 6 7 89.3 32.7 5-13 32.3 45 43 1 178.3“ 36.2 5-6 24.1 < 5 89.5 36.4 5-16 36.5 75 ' 5 5Q 108.6 35.5 5-8 29.5 72 28 2 93.6 41.2 5-10 31.7 79 9 87.3 35.9 5-13 33.2 83 29 mparable data based on years grown. ‘es used to compute comparable data. 4 1 year only. w and Etter, but Mustang produced lds at Floydada. II, The Rolling Plains, Edwards Pla- rans-Pecos (Extension Districts 3, 6 a ether, these three extension districts 0 acres of oats in 1968 or about 28 the state seeded acreage. About half "a for grain, and the other half is f. aturity by livestock. Practically all Pith the natural rainfall which ranges 30 inches per year over most of the 1;; less than 10 inches in the Trans- s. Cold resistance is of considerable in this area, but diseases are usually portance because of the low rainfall ity. ne testing station is available in this e although results are available from y up to 1965, Table 16. The highest hillicothe were produced by Norwin, Cimarron, Wintox and Mustang. Ora, V,‘ ETTER AND FLOYDADA, 1956-68 Nora, Moregrain and Suregrain had the highest test Weight, Table 17. Survival in 1963 showed Winter Excel, Norwin, Cimarron and Wintok to be the most cold tolerant. Visual forage esti- mates indicated that Alamo-X, Cimarron and Moregrain produced the most forage. At Iowa Park, Ora, Cimarron, Norwin, Mustang and Bronco produced the best grain yields. AREA III, North Central and Northeast Texas (Extension Districts 4 and 5): Oats are one of the major grain crops in the Blacklands and Prairie soils of this testing area. However, there are many sandy soil areas, and for the entire area only 44 percent of the oats in District 4 and only 25 percent of those in District 5 were harvested. An estimated 17 percent of the state acreage is seeded in Area III, but about one- fourth of the state oat grain crop is harvested from this area. Winterkilling is important in this area because plants do not remain dormant. Winter temperatures fluctuate greatly, and peri- ods of Warm weather may bring plants into rapid ~ COMPARABLE GRAIN YIELDS AND AGRONOMIC DATA FOR IRRIGATED, FALL-SOWN OATS Comparable yield of grain,‘ Comparable test weight,‘ bushels per acre pounds per bushel plant Survival] Lodging Plainview Etter Floydada Plainview Etter Floydada height, percent, percent, 1966-67 1966-67 1956-60 1966-67 1966-67 1956-60 inches 1966 1966 96.9 104.1 53.4 33.0 32.0 36.2 25.3 » 80 32 119.8 106.5 48.9 34.0 34.5 35.6 21.8 78 55 103.9 99.0 37.7 34.4 75 32 l. 100.4 51.8 34.7 35.5 23.5 78 70 T" 84.1 50.1 31.4 36.0 29.5 81 45 ‘ 49.8 35.9 20.3 59.2 33.6 22.0 84.6 55.7 33.0 35.6 23.5 74 45 84.4 97.0 33.9 77 12 119.3 97.1 34.3 79 70 109.9 78.9 52.8 33.4 36.9 24.3 83 37 I omparable averages based on years grown. 15 TABLE 16. PARK, TEXAS, 1956-65‘ COMPARABLE YIELDS AND AGRONOMIC DATA FOR FALL-SOWN IRRIGATED OATS, Winter Number Grain yield, Test weight, Date Plant survival, years bushels pounds per first height, percent, Variety tested per acre bushel head inches 2 years Frazier’ 9 70.2 33.2 4-14 34 35.0 Mustang’ 9 78.0 30.7 4-23 34 42.0 Wintoki 9 67.1 33.3 4-23 33 91.5 Average 71.8 32.4 4-19 Alamo 6 72.7 33.8 4-17 31 13.8 Alamo-X 2 64.4 32.6 4-17 48.0 Arkwin 2 61.7 34.9 4-21 Bronco 8 77.7 30.4 4-26 34 85.0 Cimarron 9 80.6 33.3 4-15 30 88.5 Fultex 3 72.0 32.1 4-20 32 Fulwin 8 68.1 31.8 4-25 37 87.0 Moregrain 6 60.2 35.2 4-12 9.5 New Nortex 8 67.9 31.7 4-21 33 3.5 N orwin 3 79.6 35.1 Ora 1 81.2 34.1 43.2 Suregrain 4 71.6 33.3 4-15 14.8 Victorgrain 4 77.3 33.0 4-19 Winter Excel 4 72.8 35.1 4-24 46.5 ‘Calculated comparable yields based on years grown. “Check varieties used to compute comparable data. “Forage check. growth prior to periods of very cold weather. During the January 1963 storm, which killed much of the oat crop, temperatures dropped to 8° F. at Denton after a week of 80 to 90-degree temperatures. Then the temperature soared to 56° F. in a few days and again dropped to 7° F. Under such conditions, most small grain crops ' are seriously damaged. Comparative agronomic data obtained at Denton, Table 18, show that the highest com- parable yields were produced by Ora, Nora, TABLE 17. COMPARABLE GRAIN YIELDS AND AGRONOMIC DATA FOR OAT VARIETIES GR’, CHILLICOTHE, TEXAS, 1958-68‘ Bronco, Mustang and New Nortex. Duri seasons when winterkilling occurred, Fulwin, Dubois and Bronco survived >3’ stands of Alamo-X, Moregrain and S_ were greatly reduced. A field of New *1 oats grown at Denton in 1962 is shown l. ure 9. 1 Data at Overton for 1968 are given , 19. Coronado, Moregrain, Cortez and I all gave excellent yields and also are '. for forage uses in this area. . Number Grain yield, Test weight, Date Plant Forage years bushels pounds per first height, estimate, Lodging Variety tested per acre bushel head inches percent percent Frazier? 10 32.5 32.4 4-25 26.0 104 43 Fulwini 10 32.0 32.1 4-30 28.7 102 71 New Nortexi 10 31.8 30.7 4-29 24.1 100“ 39 Average 32.1 31.7 4-28 26.3 Alamo-X 8 38.8 31.8 4-28 24.4 117 19 Arkwin 2 31.9 32.6 5-2 23.0 85 32 Blount 4 36.4 32.2 4-29 25.9 19 Bronco 5 34.3 32.6 5-5 26.3 86 27 Cimarron 10 37.4 32.8 4-23 23.1 110 51 Coronado 2 36.6 33.9 4-26 22.9 Dubois 3 31.7 33.9 4-27 23.8 19 Moregrain 8 34.4 35.5 4-25 20.7 107 19 Mustang 7 37.4 30.9 4-30 23.8 102 33 Nora 2 31.1 35.6 4-27 20.4 Norline 5 33.2 29.6 5-5 26.5 19 Norwin 6 41.7 33.5 4-27 24.7 49 Ora 5 35.6 35.6 4-25 21.4 19 Suregrain 3 33.0 34.5 4-26 20.4 97 79 Winter Excel 7 36.4 33.7 4-28 24.6 53 Wintok 10 37.1 33.1 4-29 24.1 104 ‘Calculated comparable data based on years tested. ’Check varieties used to compute comparable data. “Forage check variety. .16 COMPARABLE GRAIN YIELDS AND AGRONOMIC DATA FOR FALL-SOWN OAT VARIETIES DENTON, TEXAS 1959-68‘ Number Grain yield, Test weight, Date Plant Crown Percent years bushels pounds per first height, rust, survival Lodging tested per acre bushel head inches percent 3 years percent 10 61.5 32.8 4-12 35.7 22 70 49 10 63.5 28.9 4-22 40.8 56 97 39 ’ 10 70.5 30.9 4-22 33.2 14 69 31 10 65.2 31.0 4-19 36.6 8 ‘1.2 31.0 4-16 37.0 23 50 23 7 '4.1 31.4 4-20 39.8 15 81 3 63.4 31.6 4-19 41.7 34 31 5 67.5 32.3 4-21 34.0 21 93 21 10 72.2 30.2 4-23 37.5 25 97 10 6 63.2 32.0 4-15 35.1 23 21 7 69.7 30.8 4-20 34.2 17 61 17 . 4 69.5 33.8 4-19 34.8 ' 11 3 69.4 32.1 4-17 32.1 7 ' 19 2 65.1 31.0 4-14 30.2 11 17 3 61.3 32.3 4-20 33.6 36 99 23 9 65.5 30.9 4-21 40.6 15 78 14 9 68.3 33.0 4-18 37.3 22 24 7 71.6 30.1 4-20 34.6 23 83 10 10 68.4 33.6 4-14 30.1 15 68 22 2 77.9 32.0 4-15 30.2 19 16 7 66.8 31.6 4-15 31.1 31 99 38 7 83.1 31.1 4-15 31.0 6 96 3 6 66.5 31.9 4-21 40.9 18 72 7 5 56.8 32.0 4-17 35.0 14 58 14 4 47.8 30.6 4-17 36.7 26 18 5 66.7 33.5 4-16 30.5 Tr 51 20 7 74.1 33.0 4-17 36.4 18 74 11 comparable data based on years grown. ‘ties used to adjust yields. A IV, The Central Blaclclands and East available are resistant to stem rust. Cold toler- ggxtension Districts 8, 9 and 11 ): This ance is usually less important in this area, but A K ea grows an estimated 26 percent of ‘many varieties were damaged in 1962 and 1963. , f ' ' D' ' , d . $Z$€‘%ZQ.’E>°SLE 05th‘? hai-iteifldsgriil. AREA V’. South and the Rw Grande frequently are important hazards to Pia/an (EZUtQT/LSZOTL Dzstvncts 10 and 12).‘ Oats are ‘ grown in this area largely for winter pasture. ' th' . Ol 40 t f th gregrge ilss géfgeste; iyn Digcililfifins and g A total of 347,270 acres was seeded but only a Districts 9 and 1L about 10 percent,_30,480 acres, was harvested, Table 3. Rust resistance is of major importance ,6 on performance of oat varieties at most seasons, not only for grain production, but and Temple are reported in Tables also because rust may seriously reduce the period p, . Among varieties grown for most or of forage production as well. - period, the best yields were made by Nortex and Moregrain. Of those grown Jar periods, Cortez, Coronado, Nora and 00 have produced good yields. Sure- i. Florida 500 have the highest crown ytance, but none of the varieties now . YIELDS AND TEST WEIGHT OF OAT § GROWN AT OVERTON, TEXAS IN 1968 Mean yield, Test weight, pounds per bushel bushels per acre 82.731 1 30.0 96.41 33.0 109.3 30.3 97.0 31.0 88.4 32.5 93.5 30.0 101.5 36.0 46.4 24.5 88.8 30.0 f New Nortex oats at .Denton. 17 Figure 9. A fine field o TABLE 20. COMPARABLE GRAIN YIELDS AND AGRONOMIC DATA FOR FALL-SOWN OAT VA GROWN AT McGREGOR, TEXAS, 1958-68 r Comparable data‘ Number Grain yield, Test weight Date Plant Leaf years bushels pounds per first height, rust, Survival. Variety tested per acre a bushel head inches percent 1962-63 Frazieri 10 51.5 33.9 4-9 35.2 43 80 Fulwin’ 10 41.9 29.0 4-19 34.2 62 -_ 100 New Nortex’ 10 61.9 30.6 4-20 32.6 16",; 85 Average 10 51.8 31.2 4-16 34.0 Alamo 7 52.5 31.8 4-12 32.6 27 15 Alamo-X 8 59.5 31.5 4-13 34.2 16 87 Arkwin 1 53.7 31.4 4-16 34.6 71 Bronco 6 47.7 29.5 4-23 34.3 43 70 Coker 242 3 52.3 29.5 4-13 33.4 21 Coronado 3 62.9 34.0 4-14 33.1 20 Cortez 2 68.7 36.0 4-10 32.3 28 Florida 500 3 61.4 35.6 4-11 27.8 Houston 5 51.6 34.0 4-14 28.1 22 Moregrain 10 61.4 37.2 4-11 30.8 13 80 Mustang 8 60.0 31.3 4-17 33.8 36 96 Nora 2 61.8 32.0 4-15 31.8 27 Norwin 2 53.6 35.0 4-15 30.3 34 Ora 5 69.4 32.6 4-15 32.5 22 100 Victorgrain 3 60.8 34.4 4-13 33.9 Suregrain 10 59.9 36.1 4-13 30.9 4 17 Taggart 5 57.6 32.7 4-19 35.3 57 ‘Calculated comparable averages based on years grown. 2Check varieties used to compute comparable data. “Percent of New Nortex check. Data obtained at College Station, where sup- the best grain yields at College Statio 3 plemental irrigation is used when needed, and 1s usually less damaging than at Beeville. Beeville, with natural rainfall, are given in Ta- of crown rust have changed rapidly du _ bles 22 and 23. The varieties Coronado, Cortez, testing period. Alamo-X was highly Houston, Florida 500 and Coker 242 produced . at the start of this period, Coronado an r TABLE 21. COMPARABLE GRAIN YIELDS AND AGRONOMIC DATA FOR FALL-SOWN OAT V AT TEMPLE, TEXAS, 1959-68‘ Forage Number Grain yield, Test weight, Date Plant estimate, years bushels pounds per first height, percent of Variety tested per acre bushel head inches New Nortex Frazier“ 10 52.1 34.6 4-7 36.2 111 Fulwin” 10 48.0 32.4 4-16 35.7 97 New Nortexi 10 61.6 34.0 4-18 34.1 100 Average 53.9 33.7 4-14 35.3 Alamo 6 47.4 32.7 4-12 33.5 111 Alamo-X 9 48.3 31.9 4-11 34.1 116 Arkwin 60 2 43.8 35.0 4-15 35.3 88 Blount 4 50.7 35.4 4-8 35.2 106 Bronco 7 47.5 34.2 4-16 36.2 90 Coker 242 4 54.7 37.8 4-15 31.4 112 Coronado 3 55.6 36.7 4-11 33.0 107 Cortez 2 58.4 37.0 4-7 31.2 110 Dubois 2 _ 42.1 32.0 4-17 31.8 Florida 500 3 58.4 35.0 4-6 37.7 113 Forkedeer 1 53.4 32.0 4-13 Houston 7 37.1 34.2 4-9 25.9 112 Jefferson 1 54.1 35.0 36.3 Midsouth 3 52.2 36.8 4-11 32.9 111 Moregrain 10 55.2 36.6 4-9 30.6 110 Mustang 9 53.7 32.9 4-13 34.3 103 Nora 2 59.1 35.0 4-12 32.7 101 Norwin 3 48.8 34.3 4-11 29.0 100 Ora 6 60.3 36.6 4-12 31.1 105 Radar I 2 59.5 33.7 4-7 32.3 110 Suregrain 10 53.0 36.1 4-10 29.8 111 Taggart 4 49.1 34.7 4-19 33.8 116 Victorgrain 2 46.4 34.8 4-11 31.7 110 ‘Calculated comparable data based on years grown. “Check varieties used to calculate comparable data. 18. f COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS, 1959-68 ~' COMPARABLE GRAIN YIELDS AND AGRONOMIC DATA FOR FALL-SOWN OAT VARIETIES Comparable datal Number Grain yield, Test weight, Date Plant Leaf years bushels pounds per first height, Forage rust, tested per acre bushel head inches estimate“ percent 10 39.2 30.4 3-28 37.9 114 75 10 47.6 29.4 4-9 37.0 100 26 10 43.4 29.9 4-4 37.5 7 47.5 30.2 4-2 36.3 123 38 8 49.0 27.7 4-3 37.0 124 50 roof 9 48.9 27.9 4-6 38.0 101 38 6 60.9 34.7 4-4 36.1 117 12 4 87.6 36.3 4-5 39.5 106 Tr 4 85.7 36.1 3-26 34.2 116 Tr 4 49.4 32.7 4-8 38.4 4 125 16 4 35.2 30.7 4-1 38.8 127 - 16 4 30.8 30.9 3-28 36.7 115 27 5 70.2 34.5 3-27 35.5 100 Tr 7 65.4 34.0 4-4 30.7 130 7 3 38.1 32.1 4-5 39.5 1C6 73 10 58.7 34.3 3-29 33.5 118 38 2 53.3 28.0 4-6 31.4 85 Tr 1 53.4 29.9 4-3 33.9 85 6:) 6 65.0 31.9 4-2 34.7 104 12 4 54.9 30.4 3-30 32.7 117 16 3 33.1 27.1 4-12 35.5 100 28 10 63.0 33.0 4-2 34.5 117 10 2 43.6 30.6 4-5 39.6 110 64 lmparable data based on years grown. es used to compute comparable data. 8w Nortex forage check. A nt until 1967 and Florida 500 and ere resistant until 1969. ville, Florida 500 and Suregrain pro- .~best grain yields because of their i, resistance. Coronado and Cortez until 1968, and Ora and Moregrain before 1966. Forage estimates at w: showed superior forage» produc- uston, Alamo-X, Florida 500, Coro- iortez. BEEVILLE, TEXAS, 1959-68‘ b COMPARABLE GRAIN YIELDS AND A Spring-sown Oats A small acreage of spring-sown oats is grown in Texas. In seasons when there is a large amount of winterkilling of the fall-sown crop or spring moisture conditions are favorable in northwest Texas, a larger acreage is sown. As pointed out earlier, Table 6, spring-sown oats usually yield less than fall-sown oats, and quality may be less desirable. Data from a small performance trial of GRONOMIC DATA FOR FALL-SOWN OAT VARIETIES Number Grain yield, Test weight, Plant Leaf Stem Forage years bushels pounds per height, rust, rust, estimate, grown per acre bushel inches percent percent percent 9 15.6 29.3 32.6 71 12 116 9 22.9 26.3 31.9 53 9 100“ 27.8 32.3 62 11 6 23.1 28.6 34.7 48 2 110 7 26.0 27.3 35.4 57 3 120 3 19.8 27.7 34.5 41 7 133 2 26.2 31.6 28.8 61 124 2 36.1 32.6 32.8 36 124 2 42.9 32.4 36.8 36 122 3 48.4 29.8 33.8 19 124 6 34.9 32.4 31.1 40 11 129 8 39.0 33.8 34.4 25 35 118 2 24.4 33.7 29.8 55 99 5 33.9 28.9 30.9 30 117 5 34.5 29.3 31.1 39 10 110 3 26.4 25.4 32.4 53 15 100 8 44.8 32.2 33.2 8 38 113 mparable data based on years grown. es used in calculating comparable data. variety. 19 TABLE 24. COMPARABLE GRAIN YIELDS AND AGRONOMIC DATA FOR IRRIGATED, SPRING-SOW A AT BUSHLAND, TEXAS, 1956-58 Number Grain yield, Test weight, Plant years bushels pounds per height, Variety tested per acre bushel inches Frazier 7 70.4 31.9 28.0 New Nortex 7 74.5 32.4 30.6 Average 7 72.4 32.1 29.3 Alamo 5 78.0 32.0 29.1 Alamo-X e 73.5 30.6 28.4 Cimarron 6 77.9 32.7 28.6 Clintland 64 2 58.3 35.1 31.5 Coronado 1 103.6‘ 33.7 29.8 Cortez 1 107.5‘ 31.6 29.8 Florida 500 1 107.3‘ Houston 5 69.8 33.8 24.8 Moregrain 5 82.0 34.3 27.4 Mustang 5 73.4 31.0 29.1 Neal 2 80.7 32.4 29.3 Norwin 4 83.0 31.7 28.5 Ora 2 83.1 34.3 24.8 Suregrain 4 79.2 32.5 27.1 Tonca 1 66.8 38.6 29.8 ‘Actual yield, 1 year only. spring-sown oats conducted at Bushland, Chilli- cothe and Denton are given in Tables 24, 25 and 26. More details are given in a separate report (4). Neal, Tonka and Clintland 64 were in- cluded in some tests to represent the true spring- type varieties grown in the spring-sown oat area of the Midwest. None of these did as well under Texas conditions as the intermediate or near- spring types sown in Central and South Texas. At Bushland in irrigated tests, Coronado,‘ Cortez and Florida 500 produced outstanding yields in 1968. Among varieties grown for longer periods, Moregrain, Ora, Suregrain and Alamo- X produced the best yields. The hardy varieties Cimarron and Norwin also produced excellent yields from spring seeding. Yields at Chillicothe were low on the aver- age, and in several years the spring oats were TABLE 25. AT CHILLICOTHE, TEXAS, 1958-68‘ COMPARABLE GRAIN YIELDS AND AGRONOMIC DATA FOR SPRING-SOWN OAT V' complete failures. Comparable yields of y Moregrain, Norwin, Suregrain and , were the highest. At Denton, Cortez an nado yielded well in 1967, the first were entered in the test. For longer pef testing, Ora, Moregrain, Suregrain, H0u_ Norwin produced good yields. ' DISEASES Diseases are important hazards in 1 duction in the humid, high rainfall areas‘ as, Areas III, IV and V. Occasionally be seriously destructive in other part8 state. Depending upon the causal o disease-s cause reduced stands, damage r seedlings, destruction of leaf tissue, ; seedset or seed size and low grain . quality. Smuts destroy the entire kern by reducing grain yields. Major 10s, Variety Number Grain yield, Test weight, Date years bushels pounds per first test-ed per acre bushel head Frazieri _ 10 16.2 26.5 4-14 New Nortex“ 10 , 13.4 24.3 4-21 Average 14.8 25.4 Alamo 3 12.9 24.9 4-16 Alamo-X 9 16.6 25.8 4-16 Cimarron 9 17.3 27.5 4-15 Clintland 64 5 13.6 27.9 4-19 Coronado 3 16.3 29.6 4-17 Cortez 2 19.6 30.1 4-14 Houston 7 13.4 27.1 Moregrain 10 17.7 29.3 4-15 Mustang 6 16.3 26.1 4-16 Norwin 6 17.6 27.9 4-17 Ora 3 13.0 27.1 4-18 Suregrain 6 16.7 29.1 Tonka 3 15.0 31.4 ‘Calculated comparable data based on years grown. 2Check varieties used to calculate comparable data. 20 p, TEXAS, 1960-67 A COMPARABLE GRAIN YIELDS AND AGRONOMIC DATA FOR SPRING-SOWN OAT VARIETIES Grain yield, bushels were estimated at 22, 28 and 11 ; the crop or 7, 14.5 and 5 million “iectively (2, 3). Less destructive " occurred in other years. Detailed l of the most important diseases are F‘ 4 ut, caused by Ustilago a/vena (Pers.) , covered smut, caused by Ustilago p. are controlled by the same meas- w ore, they will be treated together. are found in Texas, but loose smut i, on. Loose smut destroys the entire _f ving only the center rachis, while ‘ut destroys the kernel but not the . re 10. uts are caused by parasitic fungi - the seedling plant at time of germi- ~' as mycelium within the oat tissues growth of the plant and finally re- rnel or panicle with a mass of smut »= spores are spread to healthy ker- * wind or in the threshing process. remain o-n or within the hulls of the the seed germinates. of oat smuts is easy and inexpen- commercial seed cleaning establish- equipment for applying dust or 1- ides. They also may be applied on uipment is available. Those work- _ ngicides should wear masks and manufacturer's instructions closely. g is poisonous and should not be fed Proper treating of seed with a ,'ll not only control smuts but also f ination by controlling other seed- p. Many commercial products are i» available for controlling oat smuts. , nty agent has the most recent rec- 1a available. ‘ Number Test weight, Date Crown Plant Lodging years Comparable pounds per first rust, height, percent, . compared average bushel head percent inches 2 years 7 52.9 31.2 5-1 29 31.0 75 7 49.4 27.0 5-9 20 27.5 24 7 51.2 29.1 4 44.9 28.2 5-5 25 28.8 24.3 7 48.0 26.1 5-5 24 30.5 20.5 5 50.3 26.9 5-4 39 30.6 28.5 4 38.3 30.5 5-13 8 33.4 2 60.8 30.6 5-6 4 26.3 1 61.6 30.1 5-3 28.3 2 53.1 27.4 5-6 39 32.8 6 53.6 28.9 5-4 11 ‘ 24.8 . 41.5 6 55.3 29.9 5-4 24 27.2 15.0 4 49.0 26.2 5-7 22 29.4 20.3 3 39.3 25.6 5-8 17 31.3 9.8 5 53.4 27.6 5-5 29 28.1 39.8 3 61.7 31.6 5-3 1 22.8 39.8 6 58.2 30.3 5-5 16 26.6 7.5 3 34.9 32.0 5-5 30.3 35.3 ‘oats occurred 1n 1949, 1957 and 1958 Rusts Crown rust, caused by Puccinia coronata Cda. var. Avenue Fraser & Led., and stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. Avenue Eriks. & E. Henn. are important diseases of oats in Texas. Crown rust is usually the more destruc- tive disease and may reduce grain yields to near zero, Figure 11, or destroy or reduce the avail- able oat forage for livestock. Crown and stem rust are shown, along with other leaf diseases, .in Figure 12. The leaf rust of oats is called crown rust because of the peculiar appendages on the black, overwintering teliospore. The rusts are caused by fungi which enter plant tissues through sto- mata. The organisms grow within the plant tissues and reproduce, forming pustules on the surface in about 10 days. The pustules contain thousands of tiny, orange spores which may be carried to other plants or fields by wind cur- rents. The diseases develop most rapidly during warm, humid weather accompanied by dews or frequent showers. The spores of the organism may be carried long distances by winds. The disease overwinters in South Texas or in Mexico and spreads northward progressively as the crop develops in the state. In a similar manner, the spores may be carried south into Texas from more northern growing areas by cold fronts in the fall. The fungus causing crown rust is made up of many races (similar to varieties of a crop species). Some races can attack only a few varieties, while others can attack many varie- ties. The prevalence of races change in accord- ance with the host varieties grown in an area. Varieties derived from the variety Victoria were highly resistant from 1940 to 1957 but are now susceptible to prevalent races. Growing resistant varieties is the only prac- tical means of controlling crown or stem rust. 21 Figure 11. A field of oats completely destroyed by rust at College Station. 22 Figure 10. Normal panicle‘ left; two panicles infected ‘ ered smut, center; and one _ by loose smut, right. i develop fungicides for use as sprays he crop is underway by a number of companies. Some products that are ’ve been developed but, to date, all are e or their effects on animal and man "et been determined. A number of rieties have been available to Texas ‘r many years and have contributed glosses from crown rust. From 1940 ,e Victoria derived varieties, Ranger, iltex, Victorgrain, Alamo and Mustang rotection from crown rust damage in H 1960 to 1967, the varieties Hous- X, Moregrain, Suregrain and Ora resistant and grown on a consider- Houston, Coronado and Cortez are v many races, but in 1968 were at- pew races. Florida 500 and Suregrain, yghly resistant, were attacked in 1969. ustproof and Alber varieties have an rusting characteristic which may en- i produce relatively good yields even rust epidemics. Maturing early also of escaping rust damage. i st differs from crown rust in that se of the stems which weakens them lodging of the crop. Stem rust may 'nd on the leaves, leaf sheaths and Ioats. Stem rust produces red, elon- “ es which are much larger than those the crown rust organism. The two caused by two different, but closely kanisms. Stem rust develops rapidly g res of 75 to 85° F., a slightly higher jlthat for best. development of crown higher temperature requirement us- 1 the development of stem rust so not damage oats for forage, but the severely reduce yields and quality of o and Alamo-X are the only Texas ghich have some stem rust resistance. jnce was effective from 1954 to 1965, Figure 12. Leaf dis- eases of oats. but_in' recent years, races which can attack these varieties have become prevalent. Leaf Blotches and Seedling Blights _ Several blights attack oats in Texas. Dur- ing_ the period 1940 to 1960, when varieties derived from crosses on Victoria were available (Fultex, Victorgrain, Ranger, Alamo, Alamo-X and Mustang), serious losses were experienced from Victoria blight, caused by Helminthospo- realm doctorate, Meehan and Murphy, Figure 13. This disease is both seed and soil borne. It may attack seedlings as the seed germinates and cause poor stands or weak, stunted plants. The roots are damaged so that mature plants lodge. Rota- tion of crops and seed treatment reduce damage to some extent. The disease occurs more frequently in the high rainfall, humid parts of the state. Fortunately, most varieties now recommended are_ resistant to this blight. Helminthosporiitm satzvum Pam., King and Bakke, causes a crown and culm rot to which Bronco and a few other varieties are highly susceptible. Helminthos- porzum avenae, Eidam, may, under some condi- tions, cause seedling blights and leaf lesions (brown spots) but this disease has not consist- ently been a factor in yield in Texas. Yellow Dwarf _ Caused by an insect transmitted virus, this disease is present in Texas to varying degrees nearly every season. Although only recently described, it probably has been present for a long time. Damage may occur to single plants, to small aras, or it may involve most of certain fields. The plants are stunted or may be killed if infection occurs early in the growth cycle. Plants infected later may produce a few tillers with small or sterile spikes and greatly reduced grain yields. Symptoms appear as irregular yellowish- green blotches on the leaves, especially near the 23 Figure 13. Top, a field of oats in which plants have lodged and broken over from blight damage. Bottom, oat plants at rlght show varying degrees of damage by Vic- toria blight compared with a normal plant. tips. These areas may then take on a reddish cast, but the color ranges from yellow through brilliant scarlet. Eventually the entire leaf be- comes discolored. Plants are stunted in varying deggees, mature early and produce few and light see . Oswald and Houston (17) were able to transmit the virus causing yellow dwarf by five species of grain-infesting aphids. Of these the corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch., the English grain aphid, Macrosiphum avenaae (Fab.), the apple-grain aphid, Rhopalosiphum fitchii Sand. and the greenbug, Schizaphis grami- num Rond. are common pests in Texas crops. The insects may or may not carry the virus. They can be controlled by sprays, but since they may be present in the fields from crop emergence 24 to maturity, spraying simply for disease tion is not practical. Varietal differe response to yellow dwarf occur and ma g tually be transferred to adapted varieti present, no highly resistant, adapted vari available in Texas. Plants infected wit dwarf are shown in Figure 14. i Other Diseases Several other diseases occur in ce sons in local areas but have not been im These include powdery mildew, Septo blotch, halo blight and blast of the pani ures 12 and 15. Blast is caused by unf environmental conditions or unknown logical factors. Varying numbers of :4 will be sterile. Varieties differ in re this condition, but no control measul known. _ INSECTS A number of insects may cause seriol age to oats if conditions are favorable f increase and survival. A description l) insects, with control measures for given by Daniels, Chada, Ashdown and (12). a Probably the most destructive insec, oats is the greenbug (aphid), Schizaph’ name (Rond.). This and several oth species may be found on oats. Greenb p a characteristic yellowing or reddenin leaf tissue where they feed. Under conditions for greenbug reproduction, o, large areas may be killed, leaving largl green to dead areas in the fields. If 5f tion continues, these insects may de entire field. Greenbugs and corn lea are shown on a leaf of oats in Figurel erate varietal resistance to the green, been found (1, 9), and efforts are be to transfer this resistance to adapted Figure 14. Oat plants infected and damag l dwarf. ’ ‘ve insecticidal sprays for control of gand other aphids are available. The a of using them will have to be deter- grower in each situation. Dif- if reaction to greenbug attack were '. oats and barley by Atkins and , in 1942. Additional sources of re- .ve been found more recently (9). pork to transfer this resistance to ieties is in process, but no resistant ,ve been released. bugs, Blissus leucopterus (Say), the 'n mite, Penthaleus major (Duges), srown wheat mite, Petrobio latens become pests of oats under some a Effective sprays are available, but ill depend upon the economics of the i. Crop rotation is of considerable lling these insects. WEEDS n oats are usually free of serious tions in Texas. However, if small frown continuously on the same land, r annuals may present a problem. s, Sorghum ghalapense L. (Pers.), s when harvest is delayed by wet f oats usually mature before John- mes troublesome. Numerous sprays e for this weed grass. Suggestions jof Weeds are published annually, the publication being Texas Agricultural _ Station B-1029 (19). Figure 15. Oat blast, a non-parasitic disease. A number of winter annual grasses may in- fluence_ yields if allowed to increase to high populations. Chess or cheat, Bromus secalinus L., darnell, Lolium temulentum L., and little bar- ley, Hordeum pusillum Nutt. may encroach from ..... . . ._ Figure 16. Greenbugs on oat leaf at left; note yellowing of the feeding area; corn leaf aphids at right. Z5 fencerows or ditches or become established from seeding oats continuously on the same land. Cultural operations before seeding and rotation of crops are the best control measures. If spray- ing becomes necessary, the latest recommenda- tions for control are available from county agri- cultural agents. Probably the most troublesome weeds in oats under Texas conditions are wild oats, Avena faltua L., and derived lines of false wild and near cultivated types which grow along roadsides or fencerows and spread into fields, Figure 17. These not only cause undesirable mixtures in seed supplies, but the volunteer plants also serve as early hosts for rusts or virus diseases and for aphids, mites and other insects Which may carry these diseases. Crop rotation and destruction of volunteer grain are suggested to prevent move- ment of insects and diseases from these volunteer plants to cultivated grain. The Wild and false wild oats shatter before the cultivated crop is harvested. This enables these types to increase rapidly. Furthermore, much of the seed may lie dormant for several years, some germinating each time the land is cultivated and the seed brought near the surface. IMPROVEMENT OF OATS Research to improve oat varieties for Texas was started in 1911 with the establishment of the Texas Experiment Station at Denton. Ex- tensive selection in the Red Rustproof and Ful- ghum types of oats was carried on for many years. Selection and testing continued until 1926, when the Nortex variety was released to grow- ers. A second strain of Red Rustproof, New Nortex, was released in 1936. These strains have been grown widely in Texas and the Southern States since that time. Oat breeding work to incorporate crown rust resistance from the variety Victoria started in 1980. The Ranger, Rustler and Fultex varie- ties were released in 1942; and, after a series of z-= . Figure 1'7. Wild oats along roadside in North Texas. 26 Figure 18. Floral parts of an oat spikelet. severe winters in the early 1940’s, the Mustang and Bronco were released in 1 1956. Breeding to incorporate stem rus ance was started about 1940 and resul - variety Alamo and, later, Alamo-X. N other varieties with additional desirab acteristics have been released since. The breeding of new varieties is a l expensive process, usually requiring years and the testing of thousands of find the strains that incorporate the .1. acteristics from both parents. The flo of the oat spikelet are shown in p" Crosses are made by transferring the po one variety to the stigma of another Varieties for crossing are chosen car incorporate the best characteristics p the new strain. The hybrid populati be grown for four to eight generatio j selections can be made. Selections i, tested for reaction to disease, cold 7 ability to stand for harvesting withou and shattering, forage and grain produ i? weight and other characteristics. a Figure 19. Oat testing nursery at Denton j numbers of varieties and experimental strainsl "i varieties considered for release are “ field plots for observation of perform- "homic characteristics. irains of promise are tested first in T at the breeding station and then in lots. Later they are tested at several (determine the best area of adapta- e 19 shows the manner in which rs of strains can be compared in a 1 all space and under similar condi- 20 shows a larger field plot where * field conditions can be obtained for comparing the new strain with commercial varie- ties. Because cold tolerance is an important consideration, large numbers are tested fo-r sev- eral years to determine their cold resistance. Figure 21 shows the 1959 nursery at Denton when differential winterkilling provided the breeder with information on the relative hardi- ness of new strains. The breeding of oats for Texas conditions must include emphasis on characteristics that will make a variety suited to a certain growing area. For Northwest Texas, this emphasis must be on true tolerance to low temperatures, while for North Central Texas, the cold tolerance must include the ability to withstand wide fluctuations in temperature. For South Texas, less‘ empha- sis is placed on cold tolerance, but the variety must be adapted toprovide well distributed for- age production, must be able to recover rapidly if clipped or grazed and must be resistant to diseases. l . The development of new varieties and re- search to control diseases or insects through fungicides, insecticides or plant resistance re- quires a major investment in funds, facilities and personnel. However, any improvement in varie- ties, when projected to the nearly 2 million acres of oats grown in Texas, brings major returns for the investment dollar. Figure 21. Differential winterkilling of oats in the Denton nursery in 1954. Information obtained in such tests assists the plant breeder in. evaluat- ing strains considered for release as varieties. 27 10. 11. 12. 28 LITERATURE CITED Atkins, I. M. and R. G. Dahms. 1945. Re- action 0f small grain varieties to greenbug attack. U.S. Dept. Agr. Tech. Bull. 901. Atkins, I. M. 1950. Diseases of small grain in Texas in 1949. Plant Dis. Rpt. 34:40-42. Atkins, I. M. and M. C. Futrell. 1958. Dis- eases of small grains in Texas. Texas Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 921. Atkins, I. M.’ 1968. Performance of spring- sown Wheat, oats and barley. Texas Agr. Expt. Sta. Prog. Rpt. 2545. Atkins, I. M. 1968. Texas small grains and flax performance trials. Texas Agr. Expt. Sta., Soil and Crop Sciences, Dept. Tech. Rpt. 25. Atkins, I. M. grains and flax in Texas, 1959-68. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. (In press). Atkins, I. M. 1969. Forage evaluation studies of small grains. Texas Agr. Expt. Sta. Cons. Prog. Rpts. 2650-2656. Baltensperger, A. A., C. O. Spence and D. I. Dudley. 1954. Small grain fertilizer tests in North Central Texas, 1952-53. Texas Agr. Expt. Sta. Prog. Rpt. 1969. Chada, Harvey L., I. M. Atkins, J. H. Gar- denhire and D. E. Weibel. 1961. Green- bug resistance studies with small grains. Texas Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 982. ' Cook, E. D. 1968. Forage production of small grains, sudan and forage sorghum. Texas Agr. Expt. Sta. Prog. Rpt. 2611-2615. Curtis, Byrd C., Dennis Peier and A. M. Schlehuber. 1961. Evaluation of Winter oat varieties for hay production. Okla. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 586. Daniels, N. E., H. L. Chada, Donald Ash- down and E. A. Cleveland. 1956. Green- bugs and some other pests of small grain. Texas Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 845. 1969. Performance of small Texas 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. Holt. E. C. 1959. Small grains f, Texas Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 944. Holt, E. C., M. J. Norris and J. A. g 1969. Production and managemen, grains for forage. Texas Agr. Bull. 1082. -. if, Maricn, P. 1., c. E. Fisher and J. a 1956. Wintering steer calves at station. Texas Agr. Expt. Sta. McLean, G. W. and M. J. Nor y Yield“. of cotton, grain sorghum“ forage as influenced by fertilize 1 Agr. Expt. Sta. Cons. Prog. R 2482. “ Oswald, J. W. and B. R. Housto Barley yellow dwarf, a virus disea ley, Wheat and oats readily trans four species of aphids. Phyt 421:15 (Abstract). Palmer, Cary D. 1968. Texas =f statistics for 1968. Texas Crop i, stock Reporting Service, U. S. é of Agriculture, Austin, Texas __ graphed) . y Palmer, Rupert D. and J. D. Pr'_ Suggestions for weed control wl cals. Texas Agr. Expt. Sta. Bu}; Patterson, R. E. 1950. A met justment for calculating compa ‘ in a variety test. Agr-on. J. 42: Pope, Alex. 196s. Fertilizin 1L wheat on the High Plains. Texas ~ Sta. MP. 688. ; Spence, C. O. and D. I. Dudley. ‘_ of phosphorus placement and nif ing on wheat. Texas Agr. Expt.‘ Rpt. 2354. j