| Abstract: | Oat consumption has been rapidly increased worldwide because its high β‐glucan concentration may lower the level of blood cholesterol. The rates of β‐glucan accumulation in two husk and two nude oats were determined with an interval of 5 d after anthesis in a pot experiment. The results showed that a higher nitrogen level increased oat grain yield per plant, thousand‐grain weight, and concentrations of protein and β‐glucan. β‐glucan concentration generally increased with development of grain after anthesis, whereas the accumulation rate of β‐glucan was greater at the early stage of grain development and reached a maximum around 25 d after anthesis. We also found a larger β‐glucan concentration when plants were grown with NO ‐N as compared to NH ‐N. This study may suggest that the agronomic approaches such as nutrient management by optimizing the time and the level of nitrogen application and a higher ratio of NO ‐N to NH ‐N can play an important role in enhancing β‐glucan concentration in oat grains. |
