Abstract

Xiangfeng Zhang , Shikui Dong1*, Xujiang Yun and Zizhi Hu

Field experiments were conducted in low, medium and high sites; Jingqianghe, Huangzangsi and Lanzhou areas of Gansu Province, China from 2000 to 2001 to investigate the effects of geographical locations on herbage dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive values of oat. It was found that the plant growing in Jingqianghe area yielded the highest forages (16046.0 DM/hm2) at high accumulation rate (300 kg ha-1d-1) and within long growing season (120 d), the plant growing in Huazangsi area produced medium quantity of forages (13020.3 DM/hm2) at low accumulation rate (200 kg ha-1d-1) but within long growing season (120 d), and the plant growing in Lanzhou area had the lowest forage yield (12505.7 kg DM/hm2) at relatively high accumulation rate (270 kg ha- 1d-1) but within extremely short growing season (50 d). The highest seed production of 3789.3 kg DM/hm2 annually was observed in Huangzangsi area, the lowest seed production of 933.7 kg DM/hm2 annually was found in Jingqianghe area, and the medium seed production of 1632.7 kg DM/hm2 annually was recorded in Lanzhou area. The plant growing in high site of Jinqianghe area concentrated more (P < 0.05) crude fat than that growing in low site of Lanzhou area, and no significant difference in organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and crude fibre (CF) concentrations of the plant was observed among different growing sites. No significant difference (P > 0.05) in in sacco degradability (ISD) of the plant among different growing sites was observed in the whole growing season. It was concluded from this study forage production should be conducted in high site of Jingqianghe area and seed production of oat should be conducted in low site of Lanzhou area with enough water and fertilizer supply.