Black Oat
Avena strigosa
Summary
- Tropical and subtropical annual cereal
- Promising crop for Hawai`i, currently under field trials
- Used as animal forage, cover crop and green manure
- Important cover crop on conservation tilled soybeans in Brazil
- Has a long life cycle
- Produces large amounts of biomass
- Allelopathic residues from oats can suppress weeds and crops for a few weeks
- Very rust resistant
- Will reseed but easily controlled with herbicides
- Can be a problem if grown before other cereals and not rotated
- Can serve as a forage crop
Common Name
Black Oat
Scientific Name
The scientific name is Avena strigosa Schreb.
Cultivars
The only cultivar currently available in the USA is 'SoilSaver' which is a joint release between Auburn University and IAPAR (Institute of Agronoly of Parana, Brazil). It was selected for increased cold tolerance by Auburn Univerisity and the USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory in Auburn, AL. from a population from Brazil known as 'IAPAR-61- Ibiporã.'
Seed Description
SoilSaver seeds have on average a 100 liter weight of 45 kg, one thousand seed weight of 15 g, yield of 800 kg/ha, and a predominant clear color or slightly tan.
Seedling Description
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Mature Plant Description
Black Oats are tall and erect, with culms between 35 to 60 inches (89-152 cm) tall, varying with growing conditions. The mean plant height is 62 inches (158 cm), measured from soil surface to top of pannicle. Leaf blades are flat, about 4-8 mm wide, and numerous. The panical is one-sided, loose and open. Lemmas are scabrous toward the apex. Spikelets are usually 2-flowered, with florets not readily separating from the glumes. The awns are straight and dark. Reproduction is by sexual seed. In Alabama, fall plantings (November) result in seed ripening in mid May through early June.
Temperature
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Origin and Geographic Distribution
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Ecology
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Water
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Nutrients
Avoid excessive side dressing with nitrogen fertilizer to prevent lodging.
Soil pH
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Soil Type
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Shade Tolerance
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Salinity Tolerance
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Herbicide Sensitivity
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Life Cycle
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Seeding Rate
For Seed Production: 40 lb/A drilledFor Cover Crop: 50-90 lb/A
Seeding Depth
1/2 inch to 1 inch.
Seeding Method
Drill
Seeding Dates
Same as for common oat.
Inoculation
Not applicable.
Seed Cost
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Seed Availability
This is a new release known as 'SoilSaver' and is currently available from the USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory in Auburn, AL. It is available in Brazil as 'IAPAR-61-Ibiporã.'
Days to Flowering
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Days to Maturity
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Seed Production
No information is available in this database on this topic. Expected seed yields range from 800 to 1400 lb/acre.
Seed Storage
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Growth Habit
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Maximum Height
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Root System
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Establishment
Black Oat is reported to be susceptible to lodging and excessive side dressing with nitrogen fertilizer should be avoided.
Maintenance
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Mowing
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Incorporation
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Harvesting
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Equipment
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Uses
- Hay or pasture
- green manure
- cover crop
- erosion control
Mixtures
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Biomass
No information is available in this database on this topic.
N Contribution
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Non-N Nutrient Contribution
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Effects on Water
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Effects on Soil
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Effects on Livestock
Black oats can be used as a forage crop.
Pest Effects, Insects
Black Oats, like common oats, are prone to caterpillar and aphid infestations.
Pest Effects, Nematodes
In a greenhouse study of 17 plant species suitable for cover crops, black oat was shown to be resistant to root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica).
Pest Effects, Diseases
Black Oats are reported to be moderately susceptible to leaf and stem rust and Helminthosporium.
Pest Effects, Weeds
Black oat has strong allelopathic activity, which is one reason it is used so much in no-till agriculture in S. America- provides excellent weed control. For cotton (which is sensitive to allelopathic activity) typically kill the cover 3 weeks before planting. (Reeves)
Pest Effects, Vertebrates
No information is available in this database on this topic.
Uses in the Pacific Region
None reported.
Uses in Hawai`i
Black oats are being field tested on a edible ginger trial on the island of Hawai`i.
References
1997. Aveia Preta IAPAR 61 Ibiporã. Instituto Agronomico do Parana. Londrina. Brazil. pp. 2.
1998. Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 2nd ed. Sustainable Agriculture Network, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, USA. pp. 212.
Reeves, D. Wayne. 1999. Personal Communication/ Request for Review of Crop Variety and/or Germplasm Release. USDA-ARS NSDL and Department of Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University. USA.
Text last updated on 7/5/02