Phenotype-based selection can be influenced by environmental factors. Plants breeders need to use selection methods to separate genetic from environmental effects. The goal of this study was to test the efficacy of indirect selection to increase oat (Avena sativa L.) grain yield under different sowing systems. Eight oat segregant populations were selected for panicle weight under three different sowing methods (hill, spaced plant, full line), during 2000 and 2001 growing seasons, The development of superior genotypes required evaluation in distinct years mainly to minimize environment effects. Sowing systems seemed to have extreme importance to selection. Sowing oat in hill provided reduced environmental contribution in the expression of panicle weight.
Avena sativa L.; genotypes; sowing methods; environmental effect
