Screening Optimal Oat Varieties for Cultivation in Arid Areas in China: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Agronomic Traits

This study was undertaken to identify oat (Avena sativa L.) varieties optimal for cultivation in the Jiuquan region, China, in 2021. A selection of 27 domestic and international oat varieties were analyzed, considering ten key agronomic traits, including plant height, stem diameter, spike length, leaf width, and yield. Employing methods such as cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and grey correlation degree, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted. The principal component analysis distilled the ten indicators to three core components. The most influential factors in the first principal component were plant height, ear length, and hay yield, while leaf length and leaf area index were the highest contributors to the second component. The stem-to-leaf ratio emerged as the principal indicator in the third component. The cluster analysis resulted in the classification of the 27 oat varieties into 3 categories. Following a comprehensive evaluation through the grey correlation degree and principal component analysis methodologies, we found that the oat varieties Sweety 1, Fuyan 1, Dingyan 2, Baler, Quebec, and Longyan 2 received the highest scores. These varieties, hence, appear to be the most suitable for cultivation and promotion in the Jiuquan region. This study thus provides invaluable insights into oat cultivation practices, offering guidance for farmers, agricultural policymakers, and future research in the field.