Management alternatives for winter cereals: effects on the agronomic components of white oats and wheat

This study aimed to propose and validate alternative management strategies to increase the productivity of white oat and wheat through the evaluation of agronomic components. Field experiments were conducted during the 2022 and 2023 fall/winter seasons in a randomized block design with three replicates, structured in four phases. Phases 1 and 2 compared the performance of white oat genotypes (URS Brava, IDR Artemis, URS Corona, and URS Taura). Phase 3 evaluated 15 treatments in white oat, combining fungal control agents, plant growth-promoting bacteria (e.g., Bacillus spp., Azospirillum brasilense, Pseudomonas fluorescens), phytohormones (e.g., indoleacetic acid), and fungicides. Phase 4 tested eight similar treatments in wheat. Standard sowing density, fertilization, and crop management practices were followed. Phytosanitary treatments were applied with a CO2-pressurized sprayer. Each phase was analyzed separately using ANOVA, with significance assessed via the F test (5% level), and means compared using Duncan’s test. In Phases 1 and 2, genotype significantly affected most variables, except grains per panicle (2022–2023) and panicle insertion height (2023). In Phases 3 and 4, fungal and growth promoter treatments significantly affected all evaluated variables in both species. Among the oat cultivars, IDR Artemis showed the highest yield in years with low lodging probability, while URS Corona exhibited lower lodging and high grain mass under lodging-prone conditions. Management alternatives influenced agronomic traits in both crops, though no significant effects were observed on final grain yield. These findings highlight the potential of genotype selection and integrated management to optimize oat and wheat performance.