How to grow Oat from seed to harvest

This particular crop is an important Cereal crop as well as fodder crop. The cultivation of this crop is all most similar as that of wheat crop. This particular crop are mainly grown in temperate and subtropical climates. Oats can really also thrive well in high-altitude tropics. This cereal crop is very popular due to is health benefits. Without been told Oat meal is a very famous food. This cereal crop is rich in proteins and fiber. Oat really help in weight loss, also help in controlling blood pressure and also for building strong immune system.

The climatic requirement for Oat farming

Make sure the temperature is about 20-30°C. The Rainfall should be 80-100 mm. while the  sowing temperature should be about 20-25°C. Then the harvesting temperature should be about 25-30°C.

The soil requirement for planting Oat

One thing about Oat is that it can be cultivated on all kinds of soil. Although a well drained loamy soil that is rich in organic matter is the best for cultivation of Oat. The soil pH sould be about 5 - 6.6.

Some of the best varieties of Oat

The following are some of the best and popular varieties of Oat;

1. The Weston-11 Oat variety: The Weston-11 Oat variety have a height of about 150 cm. The grains are really long and amber in color.
2. The Kent Oat variety: This particular variety has an average height of about 75-80 cm. The Kent Oat variety is a resistant to rust, lodging and blight. The Kent Oat variety gives a fodder yield of 210 qtl/acre.
3. The OL-10 Oat variety: This particular variety is really suitable for cultivation in all irrigated areas. The OL-10 Oat variety seeds are of medium size. This particular variety gives an average fodder yield of 270 qtl/acre.
4. The OL-9 Oat variety: The OL-9 Oat variety is suitable for cultivation in all irrigated areas. This particular variety seeds are of medium size. The OL-9 Oat variety gives an average seed yield of 7 qtl/acre and a fodder yield of 230 qtl/acre.
5. The OL 11 Oat variety: This particular variety was released in 2017. The OL 11 Oat variety gives an average yield of 245qtl/acre. This particular plant is leafy, long and wide leaf.
6. The Brunker-10 Oat variety: This particular variety is a quick growing variety having fine, narrow, smooth leaves. The Brunker-10 Oat variety is a resistant against drought.
7. The HFO-114 Oat variety: The HFO-114 Oat variety is suitable for cultivating in all oat growing areas. The HFO-114 Oat variety is tall and it is a resistant to lodging. The HFO-114 Oat variety has bold seeds and it has an average yield of 7-8 qtl/acre of seed.

The land preparation for Oat farming

Make sure that the land is properly prepared to form a weed free field. Also make sure that ploughing is done 6-8 times in other to gain higher yields. One thing about Oat crop is that they can tolerate higher pH levels than barley and wheat. Don’t forget that the propagation of Oats is done through seeds.

The sowing of the Oat

The time of sowing should be second week of October to last week of October, this is the optimum time for sowing the seeds. The spacing should be 25-30 cm between rows. The sowing depth should be 3-4 cm. The sowing method can be drilling method, zero tillage drill.

The Oat seed

In Oat cultivation a seed rate of 25 kg is required for one acre land. Make sure the seed is treated with Captan or Thiram @3 gm/kg, this will protect the seeds from various fungal and pathogenic diseases.

The Fertilizers Requirement for Oat cultivation

Make sure FYM is added at the time of land preparation. Make sure you apply 30 kg of Nitrogen in form of (Urea 66 kg) and 8 kg of Phosphorus (in form of SSP@50 kg) per acre. Also make sure you apply half dose of nitrogen and full dose of Phosphorus at the time of sowing. You can also apply the remaining amount of Nitrogen, 30-40 days after sowing.

The weed control in Oat farming

In some case a weed management is not actually necessary. In Oat farming weeds are less likely to occur, but 1-2 hoeing can be given as intercultural operations.

The irrigation in Oat cultivation

This particular crop is mainly cultivated as rain-fed crop. By peradventure if they are grown as irrigated crop 2 irrigations should be given at 25-28 days interval from sowing.

The Pest control in Oat farming

Oat is like any other crop that also faces some pest challenges. The following are some of the pest that attack Oat;
The Aphid: Aphid is one of the main pest of oats. This insect really causes considerable damage by sucking of cell sap. This will actually results to distortion and mottling of leaves. You can use Dimethoate 30EC @0.03% , this can really helps to prevent the aphid attack. Make sure the fodder is not use to feed animals for at least 10-15 days after spraying.

The disease control in Oat farming

The Leaf Blotch disease: In this particular disease the fungus will establishes itself inter-cellular, tends to produce conidiophores which emerges through stomata and bears single terminal conidia. In some case these conidia are brown to black in color, tapered at apex, 4-6 spectate. The infection really occurs through these conidia. Again the infection still occurs through air-borne spores. Make sure seed treatment is done properly to manage this disease.
The Root Rot disease: The Root Rot disease is caused due to root parasite. This particular disease can be cured by proper seed treatment during seed sowing.

How to harvest the Oat

Harvesting is the final stage. This crop is fully mature and ready to harvest after four to five months of sowing. In other to avoid grain shedding, you can harvest the crop in early April.