Rapid Determination of β-Glucan Content of Hulled and Naked Oats Using near Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Chemometrics

The quantification of β-glucan in oats is of immense importance for plant breeders and food scientists to develop plant varieties and food products with a high quantity of β-glucan. However, the chemical analysis of β-glucan is time consuming, destructive, and laborious. In this study, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in conjunction with Chemometrics was employed for rapid and non-destructive prediction of β-glucan content in oats. The interval Partial Least Square (iPLS) along with correlation matrix plots were employed to analyze the NIR spectrum from 700–1300 nm, 1300–1900 nm, and 1900–2500 nm for the selection of important wavelengths for the prediction of β-glucan. The NIR spectral data were pre-treated using Savitzky Golay smoothening and normalization before employing partial least square regression (PLSR) analysis. The PLSR models were established based on the selection of wavelengths from PLS loading plots that present a high correlation with β-glucan content. It was observed that wavelength region 700–1300 nm is sufficient for the satisfactory prediction of β-glucan of hulled and naked oats with R2c of 0.789 and 0.677, respectively, and RMSE < 0.229.

Studying germplasm collection accessions of naked oats

Background. The breeding value of accessions from the VIR collection can be estimated only under specific climate and soil conditions. Studying such accessions helps to include them in the breeding process.Materials and methods. Forty-two accessions of naked oats of various origin were studied at the FARC of the North-East. Biochemical analysis of grain and statistical data processing using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis techniques were carried out.Results. The accessions were divided into groups according to their ripening schedule: early (up to 80 days), medium (81–84 days), and mid-late (85–89 days). High yielding genotypes were identified in each ripeness group. The plant height depended on the hydrothermal conditions of the growing season (r = 0.25). The studied accessions were all classified as undersized (64.0–99.1 cm), including the reference cv. ‘Vyatsky’ (88.1 cm). A significant contribution of some panicle productivity components to an increase in yield was observed. The protein and fat content in grain determines its nutritional and energy value. The results showed a positive relationship between yield and protein content (r = 0.44). A significant negative correlation between fat content and protein content (r = –0.61) was registered. The study of naked oat accessions showed different fat content in grain across the ripeness groups.Conclusion. According to the results of the study, some accessions were identified as sources of traits useful for breeding. The following accessions were selected as the best according to a set of characters (yield, plant height, number of grains per panicle, panicle weight, protein and fat content in grain): early ‘Litovsij nagij’ (k-15234, Lithuania), ‘Gkzalon’ (k-15299, Mongolia) and ‘MF9224-164’ (k-15090, USA); medium k-15248 (local, Poland) and MF9521-281 (k-15095, USA); and mid-late ‘Bai Yan 2’ (k-15525, China), ‘Progress’ (k-15339, Russia), ‘Visit’ (k-15501, Ukraine) and ‘Mina’ (k-15192, Bulgaria).

Effects of Drought Stress During Critical Periods on Photosynthesis Characteristics and Production Performance of Naked Oat (Avena Nuda. L)

Revealing the effects of drought stress during the critical period on the photosynthetic characteristics and production performance of naked oats could provide theoretical basis for optimizing the water managements and selecting the drought resistance cultivars. In this study, a potted experiment consisting of four water levels was conducted, to investigate the response of photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, biomass, yield and yield components of to drought stress during 12-15 days before heading at a typical site in Zhangjiakou. Results showed that the initial chlorophyll fluorescence rate (Fo) increased by 9.03-50.92% under drought stress, while the maximum fluorescence rate (Fm) and photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) decreased by 8.49-19.73% and 10.37-24.12%. Moreover drought stress decreased the photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs). The CO2 concentration (Ci) decreased under light drought stress, while increased under moderate and severe drought stress. Drought stress during critical periods also had significant impacts on oat yield and yield components. Oat yields decreased by 9.5-12.7%, 16.8-27.0% and 44.1-47.7% under light, moderate and sever drought stress, respectively. The yield components such as grains per spike, 1000-grain weight were decreased by 1.7-12.5%, 8.3-24.3%, 32.7-34.2% and 5.7-8.6%, 12.7-14.5%, 16.8-19.1% under light, moderate and severe drought stress, respectively. But the Spike numbers were not signifigantly different between different treatments. Our study explored the impacts of drought stress on the photosynthetic characteristics and production performance of naked oats, which had significance for enhancing the production efficiency for oat under drought stress.

Carcass Composition and Quality of Meat of Pulawska and Pulawska x PLW Crossbred Pigs Fed Rations with Naked Oats

The study aimed to determine the impact of a 60% inclusion of naked oats in feed rations for Pulawska pigs and Pulawska x Polish Large White (PLW) crossbreds on the fattening performance, carcass composition, and meat quality. It was demonstrated that—independent from their diet—Pulawska pigs showed a daily weight gain about 14.5% lower (p ≤ 0.05), with about 15% higher feed conversion rate. The experimental factors showed no impact on the dressing percentage, meatiness, and backfat thickness, except that the “eye” of the loin was significantly smaller (by 4.55 cm2) in Pulawska pigs. There was no interaction effect (diet/breed) for the pigs’ performance results and carcass composition. A 60% inclusion of naked oats in the pigs’ diet did not affect the weight of primal cuts in the right-side half-carcass. Compared to Pulawska pigs, crossbreds featured a significantly lower weight of bacon and ribs (by 1.17 kg) but a higher (p ≤ 0.05) weight of fillet (by 1.0 kg) and ham with shin (by 0.43 kg). The diet had no impact on the evaluated muscles, except a reduction (by 2.3 points) in colour lightness (L) of musculus semimembranosus in fattening pigs receiving feed rations with a 60% share of oats. Both muscles in Pulawska pigs showed significantly better (p ≤ 0.05) water-holding capacity and reduced colour lightness (L) in comparison to crossbred pigs. Moreover, the longissimus lumborum muscle of Pulawska pigs had a higher chroma (C) and a lower hue (H). The contents of essential nutrients in the evaluated muscles did not depend on the pigs’ diet and breed, except that a higher by 0.3% (p ≤ 0.05) intramuscular fat content was found in the longissimus lumborum muscle of Pulawska pigs. Neither of the experimental factors showed significant impact on the total saturated fatty acids (SFA) and total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), or on neutral or hypocholesterolemic (DFA) and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids (OFA) in the evaluated muscles. The muscles of Pulawska x PLW pigs contained more (by 1.77% FA in the longissimus lumborum and 1.16% in the semimembranosus) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) than the muscles of the Pulawska breed (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, naked oats included in the pigs’ diet increased (p ≤ 0.05) the share of PUFA in intramuscular fat. The muscles of Pulawska pigs, in comparison to the muscles of crossbreds, showed a significantly improved ratio: by 66% and 69% in the longissimus lumborum and the semimembranosus muscles, respectively. To sum up, a 60% inclusion of naked oats is recommended in the rations of both Pulawska pigs and Pulawska x PLW crossbreds, since it allows satisfactory carcass composition and meat quality to be maintained. Pulawska pigs had worse productivity ratios but showed improved meat quality traits in terms of the n-6/n-3 ratio.

Formation of Potential Heterotic Groups of Oat Using Variation at Microsatellite Loci

An evaluation of polymorphism at the microsatellite loci was applied in distinguishing 85 oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes selected from the collection of genetic resources. The set of genotypes included oats with white, yellow, and brown seeds as well as a subgroup of naked oat (Avena sativa var. nuda Koern). Variation at these loci was used to form potential heterotic groups potentially used in the oat breeding program. Seven from 20 analyzed microsatellite loci revealed polymorphism. Altogether, 35 microsatellite alleles were detected (2–10 per locus). Polymorphic patterns completely differentiated all genotypes within the subgroups of white, brown, and naked oats, respectively. Only within the greatest subgroup of yellow genotypes, four pairs of genotypes remained unseparated. Genetic differentiation between the oat subgroups allowed the formation of seven potential heterotic groups using the STRUCTURE analysis. The overall value of the fixation index (Fst) suggested a high genetic differentiation between the subgroups and validated a heterotic grouping. This approach can be implemented as a simple predictor of heterosis in parental crosses prior to extensive field testing or development and implementation of more accurate genomic selection.

Characteristics of biochemical indicators of sperm production of carp males while using naked oats in the nutrition process during pre-sprawning period

In the research there have been used males of the Nyvka intra-breed type of the Ukrainian scaly carp breed, which were kept during the pre-spawning period in the pond conditions of the State Enterprise “Experimental fish farm Nyvka” within the Institute of Fisheries of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (IFNAASU). The carps were divided into 3 groups. The first group (Experiment I) was fed 100 % naked oats, the second (Experiment II) – 30 %, the control group of fish (Control) was fed a grain mixture. The quality of sexual products of male carp was assessed by determining the effect of adding naked oats to their diet during the pre-spawning period. Indicators of sperm motility and fertilizing ability, content of γ-, β- and α-globulins, albumin, prealbumin, and physiological characteristics of ejaculates of respiratory and regenerative capacity, activity of enzymes of respiratory chain of mitochondria (CHO and SDG) were studied. Given the increased productivity of fish sperm, in particular the increase in the number of sperm with rectilinear motion, decrease in the number of inanimate sperm and changes in the protein formula of germ cells, it is advisable to add naked oats to the main diet in the amount of 30 %.

The influence of abiotic stress on the crop and seed setting

The potential productivity of an ear by the time of flowering is predetermined by the number of fertile flowers and the “planned” mass of 1000 grains - through the number of flowers with which the grain size is inversely correlated, by the resources of the shoot vegetative mass and by the possibility of realizing these resources. The influence of pinching and incomplete setting of seeds in the conditions of dry growing seasons of 2018 and 2020 for the formation of grain is considered. It was concluded that grains from the first three flowers have a predominant contribution to the productivity of a spikelet. The naked oat variety Nemchinovskiy 61 could not realize its biological potential due to abiotic stresses. Due to the incomplete seed setting, an average of 2.03 grains out of 5-6 flowers were preserved for harvesting. Reduction of flowers number in a spikelet in naked oats to two as the direction in breeding has no prospects. To increase the adaptability of naked oats to abiotic stresses, parental forms with a relatively small number of grains in a spike, which are capable to utilize precipitation, should be involved in hybridization, to increase the mass of 1000 grains.

Pisciculture, biological and physiological indicators of age–1+ carp while adding naked oats into main feeding

The influence of naked oats on pisciculture, biological, hematological and biochemical parameters of commercial carp groups, as one of the components of the feed mixture in different ratios has been studied in the article. The aim of the experiment was to increase the fish productivity of ponds and to reduce feed costs for cultivation by meeting the physiological needs of commercial carp groups when using naked oats in carp feeding. The object of the study was age–1+ carps of Lubin scaly and framed intra-breed type of Ukrainian carp breed. For this purpose, three experimental groups of fish were formed by the method of analogues. Fish of the first experimental group (from July 1) were additionally introduced 30% of naked oats into the main diet, the fish of the second experimental group - 50% of naked oats, the third group was fed a feed mixture without added oats. As a result of the research done, it is proved that the addition of a mixture of naked oats has a positive effect on fish biological and physiological parameters of commercial carp. It was found out that the most effective is the additional feeding of naked oats in the amount of 30%. In particular, when the very amount of naked oats is added to the basic diet, the total fish productivity indicator increases by 7.7% relative to the control pond indicators, and feed costs are lower by 16.7%. The amount of hemoglobin in the blood of the first experimental group was higher relative to the control group, and the number of erythrocytes was significantly higher (P> 0.01). However, in the carp serum of the first experimental group the level of superoxide dismutase (P> 0.02) significantly increased while the level of catalase decreased.

The study results of biochemical properties of naked oats and physical properties of the dough mixtures with wheat flour

Adding oat products to composite mixtures during baking increases the biological value of a new product. The purpose of the current study was to assess the biochemical properties of grain of the naked oat varieties ‘Baget’ and ‘Bekas’, to establish the rheological parameters of dough mixtures obtained by mixing white oat flour and whole grain flour with high-quality wheat flour according to the farinographic analysis. The introduction of oat products into the mixture affects the structural and mechanical indicators of the dough and can improve or worsen the quality indicators of bakery products. It is the decoding of the diagrams (Brabender farinograph, Chopin alveograph, etc.) that satisfy the questions related to the study of dough, with the characteristics of the physical properties of dough. There has been established a high nutritional grain value of the naked oat varieties (whole grain and white flour), when the protein percentage was on 5.3–7.6% more than in wheat flour and oil content was almost 6–5 times higher, which indicated great opportunities for using this grain crop in bakery. The study of the rheological parameters of dough showed that in composite mixtures the type of ingredients (whole grain flour, white flour) and the proportion of naked oats products (10, 20, 30%) differently affect the physical properties of dough, i.e. in relation to premium wheat flour, dilution of dough increases on 40–140 u.f., resistance of dough to extension (stability) reduces on 2.5–6.0 min and valorigraphic number reduces on 10–36 u.v. When mixing with white oat flour compared to whole grain, the physical properties of the dough are characterized by the best indicators, however, the introduction of whole-ground oat flour in the mixture retains all the benefits of oat grain. There were no significant differences between the naked oat varieties ‘Baget’ and ‘Bekas’ in the effect on the rheological parameters of the dough. When using oat flour in mixtures, there was identified a tendency to deterioration of the physical properties of dough, the differences were significant in terms of the resistance of dough to extension (stability) and valorigraphic number.

Productivity of the crop rotation link with lupine with different methods of basic tillage

The current paper has considered the study results of the productivity of the lupine-winter wheat rotation link with different methods of basic tillage. The study was carried out on grey forest soil in the south-west of the Blackearth part of the Bryansk region on the basis of the stationary trial of the All-Russian Research Institute of Lupine in 2015–2018. The purpose of the study was to characterize the productivity of the lupine – winter wheat crop rotation link with differ[1]ent methods of basic tillage. The scheme of the trial included four variants of the main tillage during the cultivation of winter wheat and lupine in a four crop rotation sequences, namely winter wheat – naked oats – winter triticale – lupine. During the period of the study, the highest productivity of the lupine-winter wheat rotation link was identified in the case of moldboard plowing with chisel tillage once every four years for lupine and amounted to 5.2 t/ha of grain units. With this method of tillage, winter wheat and lupine showed high rates of yield and nutritional value. These indicators turned out to be energetically beneficial in terms of energy flow in the agroecosystem. The lowest rates of yield of the link was obtained in the option with subsurface plowing to a depth of 16 cm and amounted to 3.9 t/ha of grain units; the energy cost per ton of grain was 6.7 GJ. With the option with traditional moldboard plowing, the productivity of the crop rotation link was 4.5 t/ha of grain units, and the energy cost was 5.9 GJ per ton of grain. All the presented options of the main tillage in this crop rotation can be used on farms with different levels of economic development and farming culture.