June 28, 2001

New ‘HiFi’ Spring Oat Benefits Growers and Consumers

The North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and cooperators announce the release of ‘HiFi’ spring oat. HiFi was selected from a cross of diverse experimental lines that include crown rust resistance from a wild tetraploid oat species according to Dr. Mike McMullen of the Department of Plant Sciences. It has been evaluated in replicated trials in North Dakota since 1996 and has been tested in North Dakota Oat Variety Trials since 1999. HiFi produced higher grain yield than all other entries, except for ‘Ebeltoft’ and ‘Killdeer’.

HiFi is intended to provide growers with a high yielding, disease resistant cultivar that possesses unique grain quality characteristics (high Beta-glucan concentration) that may attract a premium oat market. The name HiFi is intended to denote the high soluble fiber content grain produced by HiFi. Because of its high yield and unique quality characteristics, it is expected to replace many older varieties as well as open up new potential markets. The economic impact could be several million dollars per year to North Dakota oat producers.

HiFi, which has a white hull color, produces kernels within a desirable size range. The whole oat protein concentration of HiFi has been relatively high in North Dakota trials. HiFi is medium late in heading and relatively tall (similar to ‘Jerry’), but has exhibited very good lodging resistance relative to its height.

HiFi will also benefit consumers. Its Beta-glucan concentration is exceptionally high. Beta-glucan is often referred to as soluble fiber and is a component of oats that is associated with cholesterol lowering health benefits. Since HiFi has approximately a 30 percent increase in soluble fiber concentration, consumers could eat a serving of product made from HiFi that was only 75 percent of the size of a comparable product and receive the same health benefits. The increased soluble fiber content of HiFi should increase the value of the crop for producers and attract additional human food markets.

Seed increase will be at various research/extension centers with distribution through county crop improvement associations and the North Dakota Agricultural Association in 2002. Research was partially funded by Quaker Oat Company.

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Source: Mike McMullan, (701) 231-8165, michael_mcmullen@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern (701) 231-6136, Richard_Mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu