PHENOTYPIC VARIABILITY FOR DIFFERENT TRAI TS OF OAT PANICLE (AVENA-SATIVA L)

To determine the phenotypic variability for traits of oat panicle amon g the varieties grown in the southern Brazil, with and without applica tion of fungicide. The experiment was done at the Experiment Station o f UFRGS, in Eldorado do Sul, Brazil. Each plot had four lines of 5m of length, spaced 0,20m, with three replications without fungicide, and three replications with apllication of propiconazole 0,5 l/ha. Five pa nicles per plot where collected before harvest and panicle weight, num ber of flowers/panicle, number of grains/panicle, fertility, and grain weight, were determined. Grain yield was obtained by harvesting two c entral rows of each plot. Great phenotypic variability was observed fo r all traits with and without fungicide application. Varieties with hi gher grain yield revelated different values for the traits analised. T hese results indicate that different combinations of traits may produc e high grain yield and different oat plant ideotype can be adequate fo r the environments of the southern Brazil.