Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) Cultivar Response to Prohexadione Calcium

Abstract

Abstract Peanut digging efficiency is often reduced due to excessive vine growth. The plant growth regulator prohexadione calcium retards vegetative growth and improves row visibility by inhibiting internode elongation resulting in improved digging efficiency and in some instances increases in pod yield. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of prohexadione calcium on row visibility and pod yield of newly released and commercially available cultivars AT VC-2, Brantley, CHAMPS, Georgia Green, Gregory, Perry, Phillips, NC-V 11, NC 12C, Tamspan 90, and VA 98R and the breeding lines N02006, N01013T, and VT 976133. Although differences in row visibility were noted among cultivars, prohexadione calcium improved row visibility in almost every experiment regardless of cultivar. The cultivars NC 12C and Perry were more responsive to prohexadione calcium in terms of pod yield than NC-V 11 or VA 98R. Response of these cultivars was independent of digging date. In other experiments, prohexadione calcium improved row visibility of the cultivars AT VC-2, Gregory, NC-V 11, Perry, VA 98R, and Wilson, but did not increase yield when compared with non-treated peanut. In a final experiment, prohexadione calcium improved row visibility of the Virginia market type cultivars Brantley, CHAMPS, Gregory, and Phillips and the experimental lines N02006, N01013T, and VT 976133. Row visibility for the experimental line N01013T was improved at 2 of 4 sites by prohexadione calcium. In a final experiment, prohexadione calcium increased row visibility of Georgia Green, Gregory, and Tamspan 90 but did not affect pod yield of these cultivars.