Proximate and Mineral Composition of Some Indian Cultivars of Oats {Avena Species}

Oats form one of the most nutritious diets of all cereals for human use. Oats have unique advantage of high protein and lipid contents as compared to other cereals. While oat grains and green fodder are used in India mainly as fodder for horses, the seed and husk form an important concentrated cattle feed. In India, oats have not been proved to be successful as cereal crop, as the grains take long periods to mature and also the inherent difficulties in dehusking. Even today, the largest use of oats has been for animal feed, Oats are used extensively in Europe and America for preparing oat meal porridge for breakfast since oats are particularly rich in natural nutrients and biologically active substances. Oat crop is widely cultivated in temperate regions. As a crop, it is more successful than wheat and barley in wet climates in view of its early maturing quality to yield higher annual grass production. Cultivation of oats during Rabi season for green fodder is a regular practice in Sind and other places.