Growth Regulator Effects on the Market Quality of Five Virginia-Type Peanut Cultivars1

Abstract

Abstract The growth regulator succinic acid 2, 2-dimethylhydrazide (SADH) was applied to the foliage of five virginia-type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars in 1980, 1981, and 1982 in Martin County, North Carolina, and Suffolk, Virginia. Treated and untreated peanuts at each location were harvested on two dates each year. Market grade, yield, and value/ha evaluations were made on the cultivars Florigiant, NC 6, NC 7, VA 81B, and NC 8C. Yield and value/ha within each cultivar were statistically different across years and locations. The growth regulator significantly reduced the percentage of fancy pods for all cultivars except VA 81B while significantly increasing the percentage of extra large kernels for all cultivars except NC 8C. The percentage of total kernels was not affected with Florigiant or NC 7, but significant reductions were observed with growth regulator application to NC 6, VA 81B, and NC 8C. The yield and value/ha of Florigiant and NC 6 increased significantly with growth regulator applications. Yield/ha of NC 7 increased with growth regulator application but was not statistically different; however, the NC 7 value/ha increased significantly. Growth regulator applications on NC 8C and VA 81B affected neither yield nor value/ha. Thus, applications of the growth regulator SADH can be a beneficial peanut production practice for some cultivars; however, the response within cultivars was inconsistent across years and locations.