The production of oats (Avena sativa) in grain: an agroecological integrator in family production systems

Abstract

Due to its versatility and nutritional qualities, oat production is widely extended in neighboring countries such as Argentina and Chile, not only because of its importance for human and animal nutrition, highlighting its use for this dual purpose. In this framework, the production of oats in Bolivia, in the field of family farming, can become an opportunity not only to generate income but also to adapt to climate change by behaving as an agroecological integrator. In this context, results referring to: i) the productive behavior of five ecotypes of grain oats are shown, in which the performance of the Gamma ecotype stands out with 2 284 kg ha^-1 and Ajpaya with 1 327.16 kg ha^-1 ii) morphological description in the framework of the current national and international regulations of two ecotypes: Gamma and Alta Bruma that met the requirements and may continue with the procedures for seed certification;  iii) comparative trials of oat cultivation in the traditional system and in the biointensive cultivation system  that demonstrated the resilience of the biointensive system, in addition to showing the possibility of a double purpose in grain and forage production, as is the case of the Qantati ecotype that it reached a dry matter yield of  11 278 kg ha^-1. All these results guide to motivate the use of this crop by family farmers, mainly in the regions of Valles Interandinos (Ayllu Huayanca, municipality of Mocomoco) and the Northern Highlands of La Paz (Puchuni Community, municipality of Laja) where they have been carried out the investigations.