Assessment of Yield Attributes and Industrial Quality Parameters of Oat Cultivars (Avena sativa L.) Using Multivariate Techniques (PCA, PLS-DA and OLS-R)

Abstract

Triazoles and strobilurins group of fungicides have been reported to have dual properties (growth regulator and fungicide) and have been used to prevent the plant lodging. In this study four subsequent field experiments with oat cultivars with and without fungicide application were conducted from 2012 to 2015 aiming to find if fungicide application can improve some yield attributes and quality parameters of oats and find yield attributes that most affect the quality parameters of oats. Multivariate techniques were applied in other to find the most important variables that contribute to sample classification. Fungicide application has a role in reducing the plant stature of oat cultivars with consequent decreasing in lodging index of oat cultivars. Fungicide application reduces the plant stature and lodging index, contributing to best quality parameters of oats. Multivariate techniques (PCA, PLS-DA, OLS-R) were capable in finding the important variables that affect yield attributes and quality parameters and can be applied in a broad range of agricultural systems for predicting important aspects that affect plant growth and development.