Robustness of Oats for the Nordic Region

Breeding future oat cultivars by the smart and wide use of genetic resources is a key for sustainable solution in agriculture within climate crisis paralleled with growing demand for healthy and high-quality raw oat materials. In this proposal, we will study the less explored oat germplasm from the Nordic Genebank and other collections searching for future breeding genotypes against abiotic and biotic stresses and make them available to oat breeders. We will find out, apply, and improve the most efficient phenotyping techniques to evaluate traits relevant for drought stress, water logging and fungal disease resistance. In phenotyping, the latest genomic analyses will be applied to complement existing genetic tools in breeding (genomic selection) and to develop new ones (new genetic markers and candidate genes). In the long term, promising genotypes will be selected to develop segregating populations and study oat gene response in detail. The results will aid in ensuring sufficient supply of oats by resilient future cultivars having particularly in mind Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 and the European Green Deal Strategy.