Variety, Seeding Rate and Fertility Effects on Organic Oat Production.

Little information is available for oat yield potential and performance under different fertility levels, seeding rates, and different maturity for organic cropping system in southwest Minnesota. This research was designed to start providing data that could be used by organic producers to maximize their profitability and production goals. This study evaluated three oat varieties with different maturity (Shelby, Tack, Deon); seeding rate (3 and 4 bu/acre); and nutrient source (beef manure, and beef manure compost) and rate based on N (0, 45, 90, and 135 lb/acre). Oat yield was significantly affected by variety and also by the interaction of seeding rate by N rate. The N rate that resulted in the highest yields was the 45 lb/acre, regardless of seeding rate, while higher rates tended to decrease oat yield. In addition, the 45 lb/acre rate led to higher N uptake and higher protein levels in the oat than the control treatment. Although there was a significant seeding rate by N application rate interaction, there was no clear trend that seeding at 4 bu/acre had higher yields than the 3 bu/acre seeding rate. In summary, high rates of manure or compost to supply over 90 lbs N/acre had a negative impact on crop development.