Variability of morphological descriptors in Sicilian oat (Avena sativa L.) populations

Due to its rusticity and feasibility of use, oat (Avena sativa L.) represents a crucial agronomic economic resource for many semi-arid environments. Presently, the recourse new commercial varieties has caused dramatic lowering areas covered with traditional local genotypes, severe risk genetic erosion is emerging. To deepen knowledge about autochthonous populations, an activity collection cataloguing across cropping was carried out. Sixteen populations were collected from different Sicily put in field study two consecutive years (2014 2015) experimental farm “Sparacia” (Cammarata – AG). In both all twenty-one morphological characters, related aspects whole plant or parts, measured as described guidelines CPVO-OCVV (rif. CPVO-TP/020/2). Multivariate analysis applied assess similarity/dissimilarity level among also evaluating relative discriminatory importance each selected character. Although strong variability between did not allow perfect discrimination association groups emerged based on their prevalent utilization form. Among categorical measurements glumes grain provided best characterization years. This article protected by copyright. All rights reserved