Genetic Variability and Multivariate Analysis of Yield and Quality Traits in Single-Cut Fodder Oat (Avena sativa L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the performance of twelve single-cut oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes for yield, quality, and associated traits and to identify key selection criteria for fodder improvement. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with three replications during the rabi season (2022–23) at the Forage Research Area, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Significant variability was observed among genotypes for green fodder yield, dry matter yield, and quality traits, with green fodder yield ranging from 443.29 to 836.56 q ha⁻¹, dry matter yield from 84.22 to 200.08 q ha⁻¹, and crude protein content from 7.91 to 10.36%. Phenotypic coefficients of variation exceeded genotypic coefficients for all traits, indicating that environmental influences affected trait expression. High heritability was recorded for crude protein content, the number of tillers per meter of row length, and days to 50% flowering, while the leaf–stem ratio and dry matter yield showed high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean, suggesting a predominance of additive gene action. Correlation and path coefficient analyses revealed dry matter yield, per day dry matter yield, flowering duration, and leaf biomass as major contributors to fodder productivity, with days to 50% flowering, leaf weight, and per day dry matter yield exerting strong positive direct effects on green fodder yield. Principal component analysis further confirmed biomass accumulation, flowering duration, daily productivity, and leafiness as key sources of variability. Overall, traits such as dry matter yield, leaf weight, and flowering behaviour emerged as reliable selection indices for developing high-yielding, nutritionally superior fodder oat genotypes.