Peanut Grade Research Articles

A SYSTEMS ENGINEERING APPROACH TO IMPROVING THE PEANUT GRADING SYSTEM

AbstractSystems engineering was used to identify peanut grading system needs, establish requirements, and compare proposed solutions that meet consensus specifications established by all industry segments. Previous attempts to change the grading system were hindered by difficulty in getting all segments to agree on proposed changes. The systems engineering approach overcame this obstacle. Four conceptual designs that improve the current system are at various stages of development and implementation. These improvements are: high moisture foreign material identification; measuring moisture during sampling; measuring single kernel moisture; and grading larger samples with an automated sample cleaning, shelling, sizing, and data collection system. Each of these improvements help ensure consumer demands for quality are met while not unfairly burdening any one segment of the peanut industry.

Fatty Acid Composition and Tocopherol Content of Drought Stressed Florunner Peanuts

Abstract Drought stress has been heavily investigated for its effects on production efficiency and yield, but less attention has been given to its effects on peanut quality. Peanuts (Florunner cv) were stressed for 30 days, by withholding irrigation and using shelters, at the pre-flowering period (stressl), pod formation period (stress2), and maturation period (stress3). Fatty acid composition, oleic linoleic ratio (O/L), computed iodine value (IV) and tocopherol content of Florunner peanuts were investigated. The fatty acid composition acid composition, O/L ration, IV, alpha-tocopherol (α-T) and gamma-tocopherol (γ-T) were significantly affected by drought stress and peanut grade. As peanuts increased in size regardless of stressing period, long chain saturated fatty acids [arachidic acid (20:0), behenic acid (22:0), and lignoceric acid (24:0)], eicosenoic acid (20:1), (O/L), and α-tocopherol decreased significantly. Stressing peanuts during the maturation period is most detrimental to peanut stability, decreasing O/L ratio and increasing IV.

Automatic control of a peanut grade sample inspection system

The current US peanut grading system is labour intensive and requires human judgement at several steps in the grading process. One goal of the peanut industry is to ensure high quality peanuts by increasing grading accuracy. Developing an automated grading system will assist in attaining that goal. The development of this grading system centers around a central system which automatically controls the grading process. The system makes decisions on single objects from a sample of peanuts. A machine vision system acquires an image of the object. Kernel size is determined from the image by the system. The kernel is evaluated for damage using grey level, tristimulus and texture information, and the appropriate sorting action is taken. Other grading devices which provide inputs into the automated grading system are a single kernel moisture meter, a bulk moisture meter, a bar code reader and a chemical testing system. Each of these devices are attached to the central processing unit and provide input into the automated grading system. After the entire sample has been processed, the categories are automatically weighed and the system determines the peanut quality based on the grade values. This automated system will result in a less labour-intensive system which will ensure the quality of US peanuts for domestic and foreign buyers and consumers worldwide.

Limestone and gypsum effects on calcium nutrition of ‘Florunner’ and ‘NC‐7’ Peanuts

Abstract Minimum sufficiency levels of hull and seed Ca for maximum yield and grade of runner or Virginia type peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) have not been established and there is limited information on single and combined effects of limestone and gypsum on production and quality of peanuts. Field experiments were conducted on runner and Virginia type peanuts to study single and combined effects of limestone and gypsum on yield and grade, and to attempt to establish minimum sufficiency levels of hull and seed Ca for maximum yield and grade of each type. Gypsum treatments, O, low, medium, and high rates, were superimposed on residual limestone rates on three sites with ‘Florunner’ (runner type) and on one site with ‘NC‐7’ (Virginia type) peanuts. Yield and grade of Florunner peanuts were not increased by limestone or gypsum treatments on any site even though soil Ca concentrations (Mehlich 1) ranged from 152 to 200 mg/kg among the sites. These levels were lower than the Georgia recommended minimum sufficie...

Comparison of Pneumatic and Automatic Spout Samplers to Determine Grade of Farmers Stock Peanuts

Abstract There were significant differences in performance of the pneumatic sampler (PS) and automatic spout sampler (ASpS) as determined by differences in mean values or variability for several grade factors. Significant differences in mean were found for loose shelled kernels (LSK), foreign material (FM), sound mature kernels (SMK) and other kernels (OK). Significant differences in variability were also found for LSK, sound mature kernels plus sound splits (SMK+SS) and total kernels (TK). The mean LSK averaged 1.6 percentage points higher for samples taken with the PS than for those taken with the ASpS. Evidently the PS shelled out a small percentage of the peanuts during the sampling process. This shelling action of the PS may have contributed to the slightly higher estimations of foreign material (FM) and other kernels (OK) and the slightly lower estimation of total sound mature kernels (SMK+SS) than obtained with the ASpS. When applying 1988 quota prices to the average grade for these 14 loads of peanuts, the value for 0.90 metric ton (1 ton) of peanuts was $18.60 higher for peanuts using the ASpS compared to the same amount using the PS. This higher value would be an important factor when considering new marketing strategies that use the ASpS or similar in-line samplers. When using the PS and AsPs, the grade (except for SMK) tended to overestimate the plant outturns. Linear regression equations were developed to relate grade estimates to plant outturns.

Gypsum material effects on peanut and soil calcium

Abstract Adequate availability of calcium (Ca) in the upper 7–10 cm of soil is extremely important for pod development and therefore for production of quality peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Supplemental Ca is usually applied as gypsum, however, availability of Ca may depend on the type of gypsum. The objective of a laboratory study was to evaluate recovery of Ca in Mehlich I, 0.01 M NaNO3 and deionized water extractants from seven gypsum materials which varied physically from fine and coarse powders to crystals, granules and pellets. Overall, recovery of Ca was much greater in Mehlich I (89.5–99.6% of total Ca) than in either 0.01 M NaNO3 (81.0–98.4%) or deionized water (78.7–97.5%). However, for 3 sources, recovery of Ca was very similar in NaNO3 solution and deionized water. Field experiments were conducted on Lakeland sand (Mehlich I Ca = 127 kg/ha, 0–15 cm) and Tifton loamy sand (Mehlich I Ca = 665 kg/ha) soils to study the effects of the gypsum materials on Florunner peanut grade and yield. Effects of...

Dust Control in Peanut Grading Rooms

Federal and State Inspection Service concerns for the health and safety of inspectors in peanut grading rooms prompted research to reduce respirable, inhalable and total dust levels. A laser particle counter and a high volume air sampler were used to determine particle sizes and concentrations. A filtering system was designed to reduce dust concentrations to tolerable levels, with an emphasis on removing the particle size range that contains Aspergillus flavus mold spores. The system utilizes filters with an efficiency of 90% to 95% and arrestance of 99% while filtering all of the air in the grading rooms every two minutes..

Comparison of Visual, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Screening, and HPLC Methods in Detecting Aflatoxin in Farmers Stock Peanut Grade Samples

Abstract Grade samples from 152 lots of farmers stock peanuts were analyzed for aflatoxin by both an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) rapid screening test and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results from HPLC and ELISA were compared to the results of the visual inspection method used by the Federal State Inspection Service (FSIS). The results showed 41% of the grade samples with visible Aspergillus flavus (Segregation 3) contained less than 20 ppb aflatoxin when analyzed by both ELISA and HPLC methods; 18.7% of Segregation 1 peanuts actually contained aflatoxin with a range of 26-2542 ppb. The results of ELISA and HPLC agreed in 98.6% of the composite lot analyses with the detection of 20 ppb or greater. However, the ELISA rapid screening test failed to give positive tests 12 of 13 times when the aflatoxin content was between 20-43 ppb in the component samples.

Comparison of No-tillage, Minimum, and Full Tillage Cultural Practices on Peanuts

Abstract The no-tillage system for peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) was investigated from 1978 to 1981 in comparison with minimum and full tillage. Difficulty in controlling weeds, soil compaction, and reduced yields were problems associated with no-tillage peanut culture. No-tillage plots yielded 600 to 2400 kg/ha less than full tillage each year, while the minimum tillage plots were intermediate in yield. Peanut grades were not different except in 1980 when the no-tillage system graded less than full or minimum tillage. Disease due to southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii) was not affected by tillage system except in 1980 when the full tillage plots produced a lower pod disease rating than minimum or no-tillage. Target hits were lower in the no-tillage plots than full tillage plots when averaged over the four year period.

Weed Control and Response of Peanuts (Arachis Hypogaea) To Chlorimuron1

Abstract Experiments were conducted in 1984 and 1985 on a Dothan loamy sand (Plinthic Paleudults) at Headland, Alabama, to evaluate the effects of the ethyl ester formulation of chlorimuron [2-[[[[4-chloro-6-methoxy-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]carbonyl] amino]sulfonyl]benzoic acid] on Florida beggarweed (Desmodium tortuosum (SW) DC.) and sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L.) control, and yield and grade of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) Treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement of five chlorimuron rates (17.5, 35.0, 52.5, 70.0 for 87.5 g ai/ha) and four application times, preplant incorporated (PPI), preemergence (PRE), ground cracking (EPOT) or post-emergence over the top (POT). Crop injury, as indicated by visual ratings at 8 weeks after planting (WAP) and yield, was excessive with 52.5 g/ha and higher applied PRE or EPOT and with 35.0 g/ha and higher applied POT. Florida beggarweed control at 8 WAP was good with all rates; however, full season control was unacceptable. Control of sicklepod remained good through the entire season. In a separate study, several herbicide systems utilizing chlorimuron in combination with other herbicides were compared to a standard weed control system. While most herbicide systems which included chlorimuron provided yields comparable to the untreated check, none offered any advantage in terms of weed control and yield over the standard.

Foliar Fertilization Effects on Yield, Quality, Nutrient Uptake, and Vegetative Characteristics of Florunner Peanuts.1,2

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the effects of foliar-applied fertilizer on yield, quality, chemical composition, and vegetative characteristics of Florunner peanuts. Field experiments wre conducted over a four year period, 1976–1979, on two Coastal Plain soils. Foliar fertilizer containing, N, P, K, and S was applied at varying rates and intervals during the growing season. Plants were sampled at three stages of growth to study vegetative characteristics and chemical composition. Yield and quality factors were taken at harvest. Foliar fertilizer applied at various rates at different time intervals did not increase yields at either location during the four year study. A slight increase in %SMK was noted in 1976 at one site for the highest rate applied late in the growing season. The two highest rates (168 and 224 kg/ha) caused severe burn damage to the foliage in 1977 and 1978, and consequently only the low rate (112 kg/ha) was used in 1979. In 1978, pod number was reduced with the highest rate at one location for one of three sampling dates, while at the other there was some increase in number of pegs and pods for one sampling date with increased foliar fertilization. Peanut tops were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. Phosphorus and K increased for the highest rate for one sampling date in 1978 at one site. Results of these studies indicate that foliar N, P, K, and S fertilization does not increase yield, grade, pegs, pods, or nutrient uptake of peanuts.

Pesticide, herbicide actions by EPA… Change in peanut Grades with‐drawn

Journal of the American Oil Chemists' SocietyVolume 58, Issue 8 p. 676A-676A Article Pesticide, herbicide actions by EPA… Change in peanut Grades with-drawn First published: 01 August 1981 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02665596AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume58, Issue8August 1981Pages 676A-676A RelatedInformation

Competition of Florida Beggarweed and Sicklepod with Peanuts II. Effects of Cultivation, Weeds, and SADH

When peanuts (Arachis hypogaeaL.) were not kept weed-free, a single cultivation 4 weeks after emergence increased yields substantially over those of non-cultivated peanuts. Cultivation had no effect, however, when peanuts were maintained weed-free for 4 or 8 weeks. The length of the weed-free periods, cultivation, and the presence or absence of peanuts all strongly influenced the density of the sicklepod (Cassia obtusifoliaL.) plants which grew above the canopy of peanut foliage. Peanut foliage, which was released from weed-free maintenance at 8 weeks but then competed with sicklepod until harvest, reduced the green weight of sicklepod 95 to 98% thus illustrating the competitive capacity of the peanut plant. Moderate stands of Florida beggarweed [Desmodium tortuosum(Sw.) DC] did not markedly affect yield of peanuts. Application of a growth regulator, succinic acid, 2,2-dimethylhydrazide (SADH), did not influence weed competition or yield of in-shell peanuts consistently at any of the three locations. Quality analyses showed that treatment variables did not modify the taste of peanuts; however, in some experiments, components of the market grade of in-shell peanuts were changed by SADH, cultivation, length of the weed-free period, and cultivation X length of the weed-free period.

Effect of Calcium Source, Rate, and Time of Application on Soil Calcium Level and Yield of Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.)1

Abstract Studies were conducted both in the laboratory and in the field to determine the relative availability of calcium from several calcium sulfate materials, and their effect on the yield and grade of peanuts. The initial rate of Ca leaching in the laboratory study was greatest for Phosphogypsum, medium for the regular finely-ground anhydrite landplaster and least for the granular anhydrite landplaster. With continued leaching the Ca level extracted after applying the three sources became similar. Some differences were noted in the rate of leaching that were associated with soil properties, primarily cation exchange capacity. In the field, the materials were applied early in the season and at flowering. No consistent difference existed among the sources in soil test Ca or SO4-S levels during the growing period. These levels were lower, however, late in the season if the materials had been applied early rather than at flowering. Similar conclusions were reached when evaluating the temporary pH drop caused by applying the Ca sources. Yield and grade of peanuts were affected by applying the Ca sources in one field study. The positive response was similar from the three materials which, in this particular study, were applied only at flowering.

Effect of N Rate and Application on Spanish Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Yield and Seed Grade, N and Oil.1

Abstract Due to conflicting results of previous studies, experiments were conducted to study the effect of rate and time of application of N on the yield of fruit and on seed grade, percent N and oil content of Spanish peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.). Rates and times of application of N had no significant effect on yield, grade or percent N in seed of Starr peanuts grown on three different soil types. Application of 134.4 kg of N/ha to Fuquay soil 6 weeks after planting decreased oil content in the seed. When the same rate of N was split into two applications (1/2 at planting and 1/2 at 6 weeks), the oil content was significantly higher than when all the N was applied 6 weeks after planting. On Tifton soil, split applications of N (1/2 at 6 weeks and 1/2 at 12 weeks) tend to reduce the oil content of seeds as the N rates increased. The 134.4 kg/ha rate of N applied by this method produced a significantly lower oil content than where all the N was applied at planting or 6 weeks after planting.

Effects of Herbicide-Crop Rotation on Nutsedge, Annual Weeds, and Crops

In a 3 year herbicide-crop rotation involving corn (Zea maysL. ‘Coker 811A’), cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL. ‘Carolina Queen’), and peanuts (Arachis hypogaeaL. ‘Argentine’), uncontrolled yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentusL.) and annual weeds drastically reduced all crop yields. By the end of the rotation sequences, intensive cultivation throughout the rotation killed 97 to 99% of the nutsedge tubers, but this level of control depended on hand-weeding the cotton. Moderate application of herbicides killed from 78 to over 99% of the yellow nutsedge tubers, while intensive treatment with herbicides produced at least 99% kill. In addition, all annual weeds present when the experiment was initiated were controlled satisfactorily by intensive herbicide applications except Florida beggarweed [Desmodium tortuosum(Sw.) DC.] in peanuts. The major change in composition of the weed population was a reduction in yellow nutsedge and in the total number of weeds; however, certain other population shifts also seemed affected by the weed control treatments. Compared to intensive cultivation, the investment in intensive herbicide treatment produced maximum yields and highest gross profit per acre. None of the treatments affected the market grade or organoleptic characteristics of peanuts. The fatty acid content of corn and cotton changed significantly only in 1967.

Pod Breakdown, Yield, and Grade of Virginia Type Peanuts as Affected by Ca, Mg, and K Sulfates1

AbstractAbove‐normal rates of gypsum (CaSO4‐2H2O), up to 3,090 kg/ha broadcast in early bloom stage, on peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) plants of the ‘Virginia bunch 46‐2’ cultivar reduced pod breakdown, a destructive preharvest disease, in 2 out of 3 years, 1964–66. Gypsum increased fruit yields and percent sound mature seeds and decreased percent extra large seeds and percent fancy size pods in 1964 and 1965. In all 3 years, gypsum increased percent Ca in pods, and decreased percent K in pods and percent externally damaged seeds.In 1965, 1,345 kg/ha MgSO4 broadcast on plants in early bloom stage increased pod breakdown and percent externally damaged seeds and decreased percent Ca in pods.K2SO4 at 1,510 kg/ha in 1965, and 1,010 and 2,020 kg/ha in 1966, increased pod breakdown, percent K in pods, and percent externally damaged seeds. K2SO4 also decreased fruit yield and percentages of extra large and sound mature seeds, fancy size pods, and Ca in pods.

Phytotoxicity of Herbicides to Spanish Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) as Influenced by Planting Depth and Simulated Rainfall1

The phytotoxicity of five herbicides to spanish peanuts was evaluated under conditions of two planting depths (2 and 4 on) and two sprinkler irrigation regimes. In one regime 5 cm of water were applied immediately after planting and treating and the other regime consisted of natural rainfall. No herbicide treatment consistently reduced peanut yields below the untreated check over a 3‐year period, regardless of planting depth or moisture regimes. Peanut grades were also not affected. Weed control was good with all treatments.

Interaction of Plant Population Factors and Level of Production on the Yield and Grade of Peanuts1

SynopsisIncreasing the plant population of NC‐2 peanuts by decreasing the row width generally increased the yield and improved the grade of the crop. The degree of this yield increase was found to be associated with the overall level of production. The percentage yield increase resulting from decreasing the row width was inversely proportional to the yield achieved in 36‐inch rows. Row width effects on yield became negligible when the level of production reached 3600 pounds per acre.