Robiul Islam M., Shahidul Alam A.M., Egrinya Eneji A., Ren C., Song W., Hu Y.
College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh; Department of Soil Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nig
Robiul Islam, M., College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China, Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh; Shahidul Alam, A.M., Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, Rajshahi University, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh; Egrinya Eneji, A., Department of Soil Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria; Ren, C., College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China, Baicheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Baicheng city, Jilin Province 137000, China; Song, W., College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Hu, Y., College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Oat is a promising forage crop in arid northern China where increased land degradation and shortage of forage resources for animal production during winter have accentuated the need for alternative forage crops. Our objective was to determine the growth, biomass production, grain yield and quality of oat (Avena sativa L.) using different rates (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha -1) of superabsorbent polymer in northern China. Baiyan 7 (B7), a forage producing hulled oat was cultivated for two seasons (early, with limited irrigation and late, under rain-fed conditions) in the year 2008. Total precipitation was 278.5 mm during the early season (1 st May to 31 st July) and only 156.2 mm in the late season (11 th July to 12 th October). The aboveground biomass increased significantly in both early (87.3%) and late (54.1%) season crops with the application of superabsorbent polymer at 60 kg ha -1. The below-ground biomass, grain yield, number of panicles and tiller fertility rates as well as relative water content, crude protein content and relative feed value were also increased. The optimum application rate of the superabsorbent polymer in the study area was 60 kg ha -1; other rates were neither sufficient nor economical. Forage quantity and quality differed little with season. The use of superabsorbent polymer could be an effective means for forage production under the arid conditions of northern China.