31. Beta-glucan content of oat grain grown in South Bulgaria. I. Effect of oat genotype and year on the grain β-glucan content

Seven Bulgarian and two foreign oat varieties were grown throughout the years 2006-2009 in South Bulgaria, and the factors affecting the β-glucan content of the oat grain were studied. Results of the study show that the year (e.g. climatic conditions) was a very strong factor affecting β-glucan content of the winter oat genotypes. Genotype itself and its interaction with the year also exert an influence on oat’s β-glucan content. Genotypes with highest β-glucan content found were the cultivar HiFl (american) – 5.2%, cultivar Mina (bulgarian) -4.8% and breeding line M-K – 4.6%.