Effect of Fertilization on ß-D-Glucan Content in Oat Grain (Avena Sativa L.)

β-D-glucan is a soluble component of dietary fibre localised in the cell walls of cereal grains, especially oat and barley. This homopolysaccharide presents a wide spectrum of health-beneficial effects in human beings, and its higher concentration in oats makes it an essential component for human nutrition. Genetic and environmental factors influence the content of β-D-glucan. Four oat varieties (two naked and two hulled) were grown in experimental fields at Vígľaš-Pstruša (Central Slovakia) in two consecutive years (2007 and 2008). The experiment included five fertilisation treatments with application of nitrogen (N) (as ammonium nitrate with dolomite) before sowing, and with selenium (Se) at the end of the tilling period (in the form of sodium selenate). A higher average content of β-D-glucan and test weight were observed in naked oats, Avenuda and Detvan, compared with hulled Vendelin and Zvolen. By contrast, higher yield and thousand grains weight were detected in hulled oats. Fertilisation with N + Se increased the content of β-D-glucan, but significantly only in hulled oat grains. The warmer and drier climate in the year 2007 did not influence the content of β-D-glucan in oats, but caused a significant increase in thousand grains weight and test weight in both oat varieties, as well as grain yield in naked oats.