With no commercial or university oat variety development programs located in Kansas to provide specifically adapted varieties, most spring oat varieties grown in the state originate in surrounding states. Crop specialists examine maturity, disease resistance, and yield-potential information from the originating states. Early-maturing varieties with good test weights and adequate disease resistance are included in Kansas performance tests at locations around the state. Table 1 summarizes information from a number of sources including originating states, Kansas performance tests, and field observations. It is a consolidation of observations by agronomists, plant pathologists, and others over many years and locations.
All ratings are experts' best estimates based on information and observations from several sources.
Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus. The Kansas oat performance tests are designed to evaluate oat varieties in several environments using recommended production practices. Varieties are evaluated for yield, test weight, maturity, height, and other characters that may arise in a given season. Yield often integrates a number of factors that affect the potential performance of a variety. However, yield may not tell the entire story.