Investigating phenology diversity in germplasm to optimise profitability from April sown oats

Current milling oat varieties have a restricted season length. While early to medium spring types are available (~8 days spread when sown in late May), no late spring or winter varieties are currently commercially grown. This investment aims to identify oat lines (including international germplasm) for different sowing times, adaptation and suitability for WA growing conditions. Current varieties and pre-commercial lines will be trialled for their suitability to early sowing opportunities under different nutrition strategies to determine the best-bet agronomy for growers to meet tightening milling oat quality specifications.