OATS

Oat is an important Cereal crop as well as fodder crop. Cultivation of Oat is similar as wheat crop. It is mainly grown in Temperate and Subtropical climates. It can also thrive well in high-altitude tropics. They are very popular due to their health benefits. Oat meal is very famous food. Oats is rich in proteins and fiber. They also help in weight loss, controlling blood pressure and for building strong immune system.

It can be cultivated on all kinds of soil. Well drained loamy soil rich in organic matter is suitable for cultivation. pH range of 5 - 6.6 is optimum for oats.

UPO 212: Suitable for sowing in plain and hilly areas. It gives an average yield of 200-250qtl/acre of green fodder.

OS 6: Suitable for cultivation in all areas of India. Gives average green fodder yield of 210 qtl/acre.

Kent: It is suitable for growing in all areas of India. Average plant height is 75-80 cm. This variety is resistant to rust, lodging and blight. It gives fodder yield of 210 qtl/acre.

UPO 94, JHO 822, JHO 851, OL 88, RO 19 and JO 1 are also the varieties used.
 

Land should be properly prepared to form a weed free field. Ploughing should be done 6-8 times to gain higher yields. Oat crop can tolerate higher pH levels than barley and wheat. Propagation in Oats is done through seeds.

Time of sowing
Sowing time for oats is end week of October to second fortnight of November.

Spacing
Spacing of 25cm should be kept between rows.

Sowing Depth
Depth should be 3-4 cm.

Method of sowing
Sowing is done through drilling method, zero tillage drill.
 

Seed Rate:
Seed rate of 40 kg is required for one acre land and for late sowing use seed rate of 50kg/acre.

Seed Treatment:
Seed should be treated with Vitavax @2 gm/kg of seeds to protect seeds from covered smut.
 

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

FYM should be added at the time of land preparation. Apply 25 kg of Nitrogen in form of (Urea 50 kg) and 4 kg of Phosphorus (in the form of DAP@23 kg) per acre. Apply half dose of nitrogen and full dose of Phosphorus at the time of sowing. Apply remaining amount of Nitrogen, 30-40 days after sowing.

Oats are mainly cultivated as rainfed crop. But if they are grown as irrigated crop, two irrigations should be given at 22-25 days interval from sowing.

Weed management is not necessary in case if plants become successful to make a good crop stand. Weeds are less likely to occur in oats. 1-2 hoeing can be given as intercultural operations.

• Pest and their control:
  

Aphid: It is the main pest of oats. It causes considerable damage by sucking of cell sap. It results in distortion and mottling of leaves. Dimethoate 30EC @0.03% helps to prevent aphid attack. This fodder should not be fed to animals for at least 10-15 days after spraying.

• Disease and their control:
  

Leaf Blotch: Fungus establishes itself inter-cellular, tends to produce conidiophores which emerges through stomata and bears single terminal conidia. These conidia are brown to black in color, tapered at apex, 4-6 spectate. Primarily infection occurs through these conidia. Secondary infection occurs through Air-borne spores. Seed treatment should be done properly to manage this disease.

Root Rot: It is caused due to root parasite. It can be cured by proper seed treatment during seed sowing.

Oats are fully mature and ready to harvest after 4-5 months of sowing. To avoid grain shedding, Crop should be harvested in early April month.