Screening for Low Fertility Tolerance among Peanut Cultivars1

Abstract

AbstractBecause of expansion of additional hectareage onto marginal soil types and the economical need to reduce production inputs, differential genetic responses to lower fertility practices need to be sought within crop species. During 1981 through 1983, tests were conducted to evaluate 24 peanut (Arachis hypogaeaL.) cultivars under low soil fertility. The Tifton loamy sand (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Plinthic Paleudult) location selected for the experiment is a typical soil for peanut production in this area; however, this particular site had a 3‐yr mean pH of 5.3 with 10, 25, 69, and 19 mg kg−1P, K, Ca, and Mg, respectively (Mehlich I). Significant differences were found among the cultivars for yield and grade under these specific environmental conditions. ‘Early Runner’, ‘Florunner’, ‘Tifrun’, ‘Southeastern Runner 56‐15’, and ‘Tifspan’ were considered the most tolerant to low soil fertility based on total sound mature kernel yield. No meaningful relationship was found between yield and any singular soil or tissue nutrient concentration.