[OGQC] Program 1: Accelerating the development of an accurate and cost effective high-throughput measurement method for key oat quality characteristics.

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is one of the world's most important cereal crops providing a crucial source of essential nutrients for both humans and animals. Oats are a valuable source of -glucan, known to promote heart health, protein and oil.

This project provides pre-breeders, breeders, researchers and processors a greater understanding of the interplay between -glucan, grain protein and groat oil content (fat) in the Australian oat germplasm. Specifically, this project will deliver a high throughput, accurate NIRS calibration for -glucan, grain protein and groat oil content (fat). Access to an accurate NIRS calibration will improve selection efficiencies, streamline grain classification, and allow the Australian oat industry to better meet end-user quality requirements.