Eight crosses among oat lines were evaluated aiming to estimate heritability and to verify the effect of selection for plant height and heading date. Four F2 panicles from each cross were harvested in 1993. Each one generated one line of spaced plants in the field in the following year. The F3 plants were individually evaluated and separated in classes based on mean population and standard deviation. The same traits were evaluated in 1995 in plots representing the different classes. Heritability was estimated by parent x offspring regression method. Difference among classes was an indicator of selection efficiency. Heritability estimates varied from -0,73 to 0,84 for plant height and from 0,25 to 1,05 for heading date. Difference among classes was generally associated with high values of heritability. The heritability of the traits was high, indicating feasibility of selection in segregant generations. The conversion of data in standard deviation units allowed a reduction of genotype x environment interaction, leading to more precise estimates.
adaptative traits; parent x offspring regression; Avena sativa
