Institute for Agricultural Research,
Ahmadu Bello University,
P.M.B 1044
Zaria.
The oat (Avena sativa), sometimes called the common oat, is a species of cereal grain grown for its seed, which is known by the same name. Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. They’re a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Samaru with collaboration from Context Global Development, Context Global Development, United States have developed and released Nigeria's first improved oat cultivars for commercial cultivation. The two improved cultivars have been named: SAMOAT 1 and SAMOAT 2. The green light was given today, January 12th, 2022, at the 34th Meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration and, Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries meeting which was held at the National Center for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) Conference Hall, Moor plantation, Apata, Ibadan, Nigeria. Lead Scientists for the development of the cultivars include Drs Muhyideen Oyekunle and Rekiya Abdulmalik from the Institute and Dr Eric Jackson from Context Global Development. The outstanding features of the two released improved cultivars are highlighted below.
SAMOAT 1:
Pure line, Medium height (85-90 cm) with deep green leaves and stem, few tiller
capacity (18-20), medium panicle length (28-30 cm) and semi-prostrate growth
habit, Adaptation: Mid-altitude (600-800 m asl) ecology, Days to Maturity:
130-140, Potential panicle yield: 2.7 t/ha, Tolerant to rust and leaf blight,
High panicle yield and protein content (20.3%).
SAMOAT 2: Pure line, Medium height (80-85 cm) with deep
green leaves and stem, few tiller capacity (18-20), medium panicle length
(28-30 cm) and semi-prostrate growth habit, Adaptation: Mid-altitude (600-800 m
asl) ecology, Days to Maturity: 130-140, Potential panicle yield: 4.1 t/ha,
Tolerant to rust and leaf blight, High panicle yield and protein content
(20.3%).
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