Sask researchers look to ease harvestability of oats
crop related research project will look at how to better manage the production of oats in Saskatchewan.
Northeast Agriculture Research Foundation (NARF), located at Melfort, received $80,255 in funding from the province’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) for the three-year study that will start this spring. Western Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission and Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission are also dedicating a combined $110,255 to the project.
Research manager Jessica Pratchler said specifically she will look at not just relying on fungicides for disease control in oats.
“Sometimes when you apply fungicides on oats, it prevents them from maturing properly,” Pratchler said. “It keeps them green too long and with oats being a late maturing crop already…it can significantly delay harvest. So, if we can manipulate different agronomic principles to help control disease, in addition to fungicides or without fungicides, we can potentially ease the harvestability of oats.”