14. Oats done.docx

Oats Are declining in popularity in Ireland, they are being replaced by barley and maize year on year. Like barely it is a member of the Gramineae family Uses for oats are Animal bedding, animal feed, Human consumption - cereals and Biomass boilers Soil suitability for oats must be Well-drained soil...

Oats Are declining in popularity in Ireland, they are being replaced by barley and maize year on year. Like barely it is a member of the Gramineae family Uses for oats are Animal bedding, animal feed, Human consumption - cereals and Biomass boilers Soil suitability for oats must be Well-drained soil with a pH 5.5 or greater. Time rate and sowing- Winter oats are sown in late October - Spring oats are sown in March very similar to barley and wheat Fertilisers: Fertilisers are used to help the growing rates of crops they contain the elements N, P & K in different ratios such as 10:10:20 and 18:6:12. In Ireland, there are laws surrounding the application of fertilisers. The nitrates directive is responsible for providing the rules and regulations of fertiliser application and more. Harvest, yield and storage: Moisture levels should be around 12% - a little lower than barley or wheat. And 7.5 5 July – August and 6.5 4 August – September Diseases, pests and weed control Leaf Blotch is a fungal disease spread by rain. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that turns the underside of leaves yellow Leaf rust is a fungal disease that causes premature death of leaves Barely dwarf virus BYDV is a viral disease transmitted by aphids Leatherjackets are crane fly larvae that feed on the crop reducing yield Wireworms are click beetle larvae that hatch and feed on crops