The effect of growing sites on grain quality of oats and pasting properties of oatmeals

To assess the effect of growing sites on oat quality, 8 varieties were grow n at 13 sites in New South Wales, Australia, in the 1995-96 and 1996-97 gro wing seasons. Grain milling quality, chemical composition, and pasting prop erties differed significantly between sites and were related to both variet y and growing conditions. Varieties were the main determining factor of ker nel size, kernel weight, and oil concentration, whereas growing conditions accounted for most of the variance in groat percentage and protein concentr ation. Breeding and selection offer opportunities for improving oat quality , and selecting suitable sites to grow oats could greatly improve milling q uality and pasting properties, and ensure appropriate chemical composition.