Abstract: A field experiment measuring yield and nutritive value was conducted to select oat varieties suitable for cultivation in the Valley region of Tibet. Varieties tested were: Aba, Qingyin No.1, Qingyin No.2, Qinghai 444, Qingyan No.1, Linna, Bianfeng, Jiayan No.2, and Qinghai sweet oat; these were planted on 8th May 2016 in 3 m×4 m plots with 3 replicates. Yield measurements included fresh weight, dry weight (DW), dry matter%, plant height, leaf/stem, and nutritional quality of the nine varieties at heading, booting and maturity stages. Nutritive value measurements included crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude ash (Ash), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and lignin (ADL), measured at maturity. For above-ground DW at maturity, the varieties could be divided into groups of high yield (>26 t·ha^-1; Qingyan No.2, Linna, Bianfeng, and Jiayan No.2), medium yield (22-26 t·ha^-1; Qingyin1 No.1, Qingyin No.2, Qinghai 444, and Qinghai sweet oat), and low yield (<22 t·ha^-1; Aba). With respect to the nutritional quality results, the ranges observed for CP, EE, Ash, ADF, NDF, and ADL content were, respectively, 4.5%-7.2%, 21.7%-57.3%, 4.5%-5.7%, 24.9%-35.4%, 58.2%-80.5% and 30.6%-42.0%. Among variety differences in nutritive value observed were: CP, Qingyan No.1, Qingyin No.2 and Jiayan No.2 significantly lower than other varieties; ADF, Bianfeng lower and Qinghai sweet oat higher than others; NDF, Bianfeng higher and Linna lower than other varieties; EE, Qinghai 444 higher than other varieties. Based on grey relational analysis of yields and nutritional quality, it was concluded that Qinghai 444, Qingyan No.1 and Aba oats are the best performing varieties in this region.

Key words: Valley Aera of Tibet, oat, production performance, nutritional quality, grey relational analysis