Twenty-nine wild oat (Avena fatuaL. ♯3AVEFA) andAvena sterilisL. ♯ AVEST accessions having various areas of origin and/or growth characteristics were grown to maturity in controlled environmental chambers. The four environments consisted of a 16-h photoperiod until 3 weeks after emergence, when the photoperiod was decreased (DP) 1 h per week for 8 weeks at a constant 14, 20, or 26 C (DP 14, DP 20, or DP 26); and an 8-h photoperiod until 3 weeks after emergence, when the photoperiod was increased (IP) 1 h per week for 8 weeks at a constant 20 C (IP 20). The relative growth rate of the accessions was similar in each environment. The length of the second leaf was up to 15 cm greater under 8- than 16-h day length at 20 C for some accessions, but was similar under both day lengths for other accessions. The width of the second leaf was greater under 14 than 20 C and was narrower with a 16-h than an 8-h photoperiod. Tiller initiation was slower in the DP 14 and IP 20 than in the DP 20 and DP 26 environments. Days to panicle emergence for individual accessions ranged from 10 to 57 days higher in the DP 14 than in the DP 20 environment. Seed produced on plants grown at 14 C had lower germination in water and 1500 ppm gibberellic acid than seed from plants grown at 20 C. Wild oat accessions varied in morphological characteristics, days to panicle emergence, and dormancy, and responded differently to changes in photoperiod and temperature. Wild oat morphological characteristics, days to panicle emergence, and dormancy did not consistently relate to species or area of origin.
