Peanut Cultivation Research Articles

Callus formation ability in cultivated peanuts (<i>Arachis hypogaea</i> L.)

Background: Russia is one of the largest peanut importing countries. At the same time, in the south of the country, several zones meet the requirements for peanut cultivation. It is possible to increase the yield of the existing peanut varieties by using modern biotechnology methods, in particular agrobacterial transformation. It is known from the literature data that different peanut genotypes and explants from various sources react differently to in vitro regeneration. Successful regeneration depends on the correct protocol, including both the type of regeneration and the composition of media promoting growth and in vitro induction.Objectives: a technique for obtaining peanut regenerants in in vitro culture.Materials and methods: Eight peanut accessions from the VIR collection of different origin were used in the work. Embryonic explants were grown on Murashige-Skoog medium supplemented with the hormone 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D).Results and conclusions: As a result of assessing the regenerative ability of peanuts grown on Murashige-Skoog medium with the hormone 2,4-D at a concentration of 2 g/L, differences in the callus formation ability were revealed in different accessions. Those with catalog numbers k-793, k-2054 and k-2055 did not form organogenic calli, while accessions k-698 and k-1987 showed the highest percentage of callus formation from embryonic explants.

Pemanfaatan Kompos Limbah Pertanian Dalam Budidaya Kacang Tanah di Kecamatan Kediri Lombok Barat

Peanuts are the fourth staple food after rice, corn and soybeans. This is due to the high nutritional content, including rich in fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Peanut seeds have a high economic value, because they can be used as a variety of food industry products, such as pecel and satay seasonings, bread, and various processed raw peanuts, such as salted peanuts, atomic beans, and other seasoned nuts.The need for peanuts from year to year continues to increase, but the production is still very low, thus triggering the high price of this commodity in the market. The low production of peanuts is due to the lack of application of cultivation techniques and the lack of use of fertilizers. This Community Service aims to increase peanut production by applying appropriate cultivation techniques, utilizing agricultural waste compost and providing understanding to farmers about the importance of fertilizing peanut plants. Based on community service activities, it can be concluded that the utilization of agricultural waste compost in peanut cultivation in Kediri District, West Lombok Regency, is considered successful. This can be seen from the response of farmers in participating in community service activities, both in discussions and in paying attention to plot demonstration activities in the field.

Co-application of biochar and pyroligneous acid improved peanut production and nutritional quality in a coastal soil

Coastal land is one of important marginal land types that have been considered as a potential reverse land source to alleviate the shortage of cultivated land. Biochar and pyroligneous acid have attracted much attention because of their good performance in improving the quality of infertile soil. However, the effect of co-application of biochar and pyroligneous acid on peanut production in coastal soil is poorly studied. In this work, a green-house experiment was conducted to compare the effects of individual and combined application of biochar (BC) and pyroligneous acid (PA) on the peanut yield and peanut kernel nutritional quality in a coastal soil, as well as soil properties, and soil microbiome. Compared with the individual application of BC or PA, the co-application of BC and PA dramatically increased peanut pod yield and amino acid contents. The ameliorated soil properties (e.g., water holding capacity) and elevated soil available nutrients (e.g., N, K and P) resulting from the co-application of BC and PA may contribute to the enhanced production of peanuts. High-throughput sequencing showed that both bacterial and fungal communities were altered regardless of individual or co-application, and co-occurrence network of bacterial community was significantly enhanced by the co-application of BC and PA. The abundances of soil beneficial bacteria (e.g. Arthrobacter, Blastococcus and Sphingomonas ) and beneficial fungi ( Humicola and Chaetomium ) were enhanced by the co-application of BC and PA. This study demonstrates that co-application of BC and PA is a potential strategy to reclaim coastal soil for peanut cultivation. • BC+PA enhanced peanut yield and nutritional quality in a coastal soil. • BC+PA improved soil properties and increased soil nutrient availability. • BC+PA shifted soil microbial community and enhanced abundance of beneficial taxa. • Co-occurrence network of bacterial community was enhanced by the co-application.

Increased degradation of acetochlor in soil by mixed culture of P. fluorescens KT3 and B. subtilis 2M6E

The herbicide of acetochlor has been widely applied to control weeds in agricultural sector, but it is responsible for numerous environmental hazards. In the current study, we investigated the effects of the herbicide on bacteria and microfungi communities in soil. The research findings revealed that acetochlor used at 1.24 mg/kg inhibited the growth of both bacteria and microfungi. Moreover, the degradation half-life values were greater at higher acetochlor concentrations in soil, from 12.3 ± 1.2 days at the concentration of 1.0× to 24.5 ± 2.5 days at 2.0×. The augmentation of P. fluorescens KT3 and amendment with peat in soil increased the degradation rates. Besides, the cultivation of peanut enhanced degradation of the compound, and stimulated the growth of bacteria and microfungi. This study showed a process to enhance the remediation of acetochlor in soil by augmentation of P. fluorescens KT3 and cultivation of peanut.

Teknik Peningkatan Kesuburan Lahan Berpasir Dengan Perlakuan Pupuk Kandang Ayam Pada Budidaya Kacang Tanah

The study aimed to analyze the effective dose of chicken manure in the peanut cultivation using sandy soil. The data were analysed by a one-factor randomized block design with 4 levels repeated 4 times, therefore that 16 experimental units were obtained. The treatment dose level was in the form of fertilizer, sometimes chicken. The variables observed were: plant height (cm), number of wet pods planted (pods), weight of wet pods planted (g), weight of dry pods planted (g), number of seeds planted (seeds) and weight of dry seeds planted (g). The result showed treatment of chicken manure dose at a dose of 15 t ha-1 (A3) gave a very significant effect on all plant height variables. Treatment dose of manure 5 t ha-1 also had a significant effect on yield variables in the form of number of pods, wet pod weight, and dry pod weight. The most effective doses were 10 t ha-1 (A2) and 15 t ha-1 (A3). In addition, the variable number of seeds and dry seed weight of treated pods at a dose of 10 t ha-1 (A2) gave the highest number of seed pods at 76.50 seeds plant-1 and the heaviest pod dry weight was 45.06 g plant-1.

Exogenous Ca2+ priming can improve peanut photosynthetic carbon fixation and pod yield under early sowing scenarios in the field.

Harnessing cold-resilient and calcium-enriched peanut production technology are crucial for high-yielding peanut cultivation in high-latitude areas. However, there is limited field data about how exogenous calcium (Ca2+) application would improve peanut growth resilience during exposure to chilling stress at early sowing (ES). To help address this problem, a two-year field study was conducted to assess the effects of exogenous foliar Ca2+ application on photosynthetic carbon fixation and pod yield in peanuts under different sowing scenarios. We measured plant growth indexes, leaf photosynthetic gas exchange, photosystems activities, and yield in peanuts. It was indicated that ES chilling stress at the peanut seedling stage led to the reduction of Pn, gs, Tr, Ls, WUE, respectively, and the excessive accumulation of non-structural carbohydrates in leaves, which eventually induced a chilling-dependent feedback inhibition of photosynthesis due mainly to weaken growth/sink demand. While exogenous Ca2+ foliar application improved the export of nonstructural carbohydrates, and photosynthetic capacity, meanwhile activated cyclic electron flow, thereby enhancing growth and biomass accumulation in peanut seedlings undergoing ES chilling stress. Furthermore, ES combined with exogenous Ca2+ application can significantly enhance plant chilling resistance and peanut yield ultimately in the field. In summary, the above results demonstrated that exogenous foliar Ca2+ application restored the ES-linked feedback inhibition of photosynthesis, enhancing the growth/sink demand and the yield of peanuts.

The Effects of Iron Application Foliarly at Different Times and Amounts on Agricultural Characteristics in Some Peanut Varieties

This study was aimed to determine the effects of treated iron doses on agricultural characteristics by appyling foliar in some peanut varieties (NC-7 and Sultan). It was conducted at different times (flowering period and pod formation period) and doses (control, 400 kg da -1, 500 kg da -1, 600 kg da-1) in the farmer's field in the Göçmenler district in the Hardallık village of Kadirli, Osmaniye, in April and September of 2020. The study was arranged in a "Split-Split Plots Experiment Desing" with three replications, and varieties to the main parcels, treatment time to the sub-parcels, iron doses to the sub-sub-parcels, were treated. In the study, variety, dose, varietyxdose, timexdose, varietyxtimexdose interactions were found to be statistically important in pod yield. In terms of number of pod per plant, 100 pod weight, 100 seed weight; varietyxdose, timexdose, varietyxtimexdose interactions are important, however in the seed ratio these interactions turned out to be statistically insignificant except from variety. According to the results obtained, the highest pod yield was obtained as 521.1 kg da-1 from treatments of Sultan varieties in terms of varieties; it was obtained as 544.5 kg da -1 from pod formation period and 400 kg da -1 dose in the terms of varietyxtime interaction and it was obtained as 512.6 kg da -1 from 400 kg da-1treatment in terms of dose. As a result; for both periods in order to achieve high pod yield in peanut cultivation, 400 kg da -1 iron dose treatment and Sultan variety in Osmaniye conditions can be recommended.

Peanut monoculture‐induced decline in fertility of Andosols in Nicaragua

AbstractBackgroundAndosols are generally characterized by strong resilience to degradation and high soil fertility. This may decline during long‐term peanut (Arachis hypogea) monoculture, as indicated by soil chemical and biological properties.AimsThe study investigated the monoculture‐induced changes in soil chemical environment as driver for the decline in soil fertility.MethodsIn this on‐farm study, soils from seven sites cropped with peanut monoculture for different periods between 1 and 20 years were analyzed for soil chemical properties (pH, Al and Fe oxides, soil organic matter) as well as soil microbial biomass and microbial functional diversity, estimated by multiple substrate‐induced respiration (MSIR).ResultsTotal nitrogen (N), soil organic carbon (SOC), and microbial biomass C (MBC) declined by 57%, 62%, and 73%, respectively, over 20 years of peanut monoculture in comparison with 1 year peanut cultivation. The SOC/total N ratio showed the most consistent decrease during this period. The Shannon diversity index, calculated from the MSIR responses, generally decreased from 2.5 to 2.1 during peanut monoculture, passing a minimum after 10 years. Discriminant function 1 declined with increasing years of peanut monoculture (r = –0.87) and explained 74% of the variance, separating nearly all peanut sites from each other. The main predictors were soil pH, exchangeable Al3+, and the SOC/total N ratio, but dithionite extractable Al and Fe as well the ratio of exchangeable Ca2+/Mg2+ also made significant contributions.ConclusionTwenty years of peanut monoculture led to a strong decline in soil fertility, as strongly indicated by soil microbiological indices.

Effects of paclobutrazol application on plant architecture, lodging resistance, photosynthetic characteristics, and peanut yield at different single-seed precise sowing densities

The key to high-yielding peanut cultivation is the optimization of agricultural production practices. Regulating single-seed precise sowing (SSPS) density and paclobutrazol (Pbz) application concentration are effective practices that increase peanut yield by improving plant architecture, lodging resistance, and photosynthetic characteristics. Therefore, we conducted a two-factor field optimization experiment for the sowing density (D1: 1.95 × 105 plants ha−1, D2: 2.40 × 105 plants ha−1, D3: 2.85 × 105 plants ha−1, and D4: 3.30 × 105 plants ha−1) and Pbz application concentration (P0: 0 mg L−1 and P1: 100 mg L−1). The objective was to optimize agricultural production practices and provide a theoretical basis for high-yielding peanut cultivation by evaluating the effects of sowing density and Pbz application on plant architecture, lodging resistance, photosynthetic characteristics, and yield. The results showed that at the same Pbz application concentration, increasing sowing density increased lodging percentage and reduced leaf photosynthetic capacity. At the same sowing density, Pbz application reduced lodging percentage by decreasing plant height (PH), improving lignin biosynthesis-related enzyme activities, and enhancing stem puncture strength (SPS) and breaking strength (SBS). The paclobutrazol-induced alterations in plant architecture and lodging resistance improved light transmission at the middle and bottom leaf strata, resulting in the increase in relative chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of leaves. Furthermore, D3P1 treatment had the highest peanut yield among all treatments. In summary, the production strategy combining the sowing density of 2.85 × 105 plants ha−1 with the application of 100 mg L−1 Pbz was found to be the optimal agricultural production practice for giving full play to production potential and achieving higher peanut yield.

Determination of Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Second Crop Season Peanut Cultivation in the Eastern Mediterranean

In this study; the saturated and unsaturated fatty acid composition of 11 different peanut cultivars, Runner (Georgia Green) Virginia (NC-7, Masal, Halisbey, Wilson, Com, Brantley, Duzici-1) Spanish (Florispan, Nigeria-1), widely grown in the eastern Mediterranean Transition Zone were determined. The research was carried out for two years (2020 to 2021) under second crop season conditions in the trial areas of the Oil Seeds Research Institute. The experiment was set up in a randomized block design with 3 replications. In the research, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidonic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, oleic/linoleic ratio, iodin value, behenic acid, arachidic acid properties were investigated. The highest oleic acid ratio was obtained from Masal (79.71%), the highest palmitic acid from florispan (11.06%), and the highest linoleic acid (34.08%) from florispan. The behenic acid ratio was found between 2.51% (Wilson) and 3.14% (Georgia Green).

Yerfıstığında (Arachis hypogea L.) Mikoriza, Demir ve Çinko Uygulamalarının Verim ve Tarımsal Özellikler Üzerine Etkisi

The exogenous applications of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), iron and zinc have the potential to increase yield in peanut. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of AMF, Fe and Zn combinations on yield and yield components in peanut. Seed coating with AMF and foliar sprays of Fe and Zn were arranged in split-split block design with four replications under farmer’ condition in 2020. The highest values for pod number per plant, pod and kernel yield (kg ha-1) and 100 seed weight were recorded in parcels where AMF, Fe and Zn were applied together. The combination of AMF, Fe and Zn favorable affected maturity date and harvest index. It was highlighted that AMF, Fe and Zn combinations could be used successfully to improve the yield and in peanut cultivation.

Structure of rhizosphere mycocomplexes and phyloplanes of cultural peanuts

Relevance . Peanut seeds are rich in oils, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and flavonoids, therefore they are widely used in the production of food, feed, biodiesel, as well as in medicine. When cultivating peanuts, the problem of reducing the yield and sometimes the quality of seeds necessarily arises due to the impact of phytopathogenic microscopic fungi, and the main factors in the transmission of the infectious principle are soil and plant residues. The plant protection system should be based on knowledge of the structure of mycocomplexes of the rhizosphere and phylloplane. Methods . On a typical black soil on a natural infectious background in Belgorod (Russia), a sample of cultural peanuts V-2012 (Vietnam) from the collection of the Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology of the Institute of Pharmacy, Chemistry and Biology of the National Research University "BelSU" was studied. The species composition of microscopic fungi in the peanut rhizosphere was analyzed in comparison with fallow soil (control), which was found by seeding soil dilutions and leaf samples on dense nutrient media, followed by identification to species. Results . Compared with the control soil, the mycocomplex of the peanut rhizosphere (the Shannon index value at the level of 2.5 and 2.7 in the rhizosphere and control, respectively) was characterized by a lower degree of diversity and the degree of similarity of soil samples was high (the Jaccard coefficient was 50%), which means that that the cultivation of peanuts has lit- tle effect on the composition and structure of a typical black soil. In the peanut rhizosphere, a decrease in the frequency of occurrence of the phytopathogenic species F. oxysporum was observed, which may be associated with an increase in the rank in the mycocomplex of the mycophilic species T. lignorum. Aspergillus ochraceus, A. terreus, A. ustus, Candida albicans, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium oxysporum, Trichothecium roseum species were found to be sen- sitive to peanut cultivation. Peanut leaf spot was caused annually by the species Alternaria alternate , which can lead to a decrease in seed productivity up to 80%.

Modeling and assessing water and nitrogen use and crop growth of peanut in semi-arid areas of Northeast China

Water shortage and poor soil fertility are the main factors restricting the sustainable development of peanut production in semi-arid areas of Northeast China. It is thus essential to have a deep understanding of the soil water-nitrogen dynamics and crop water/nitrogen use for developing water and nutrient strategies. Three levels of irrigation treatment (W65, 65% of field capacity; W55, 55% of field capacity; W45, 45% of field capacity) and a rain-fed treatment (CK) were implemented in field experiments conducted for peanut during the growing seasons of 2016 and 2017 in Liaoning, Northeast China. The AHC (Agro-Hydrological & chemical and Crop systems simulator) model was calibrated and validated, and then applied to assess peanut yield, water productivity (WP) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) for the present situation and future irrigation scenarios. The results indicated that the AHC model was capable of simulating soil water and nitrogen status and peanut growth. Simulations of soil water/nitrogen contents and crop growth indicators (Leaf area index, aboveground biomass, plant height and yield) fitted well with field observations. Simulated dynamics showed that 9–21% of the total water input and 14–27% of the total N input were leached out the root zone (0–60 cm). Rainfall was the main cause of water percolation and nitrogen leaching. The highest average yield (5701 kg ha–1) and NUE (26.77 kg kg–1) were obtained in the W55 treatment. The WP was not obviously decreased under the W55 treatment, and was only 4.1% lower than that of the CK treatment, in which the WP was highest. Based on scenario analysis with the consideration of crop yield, WP and NUE, the optimal irrigation amount of 80–97 mm is recommended for peanut cultivation in this region. We demonstrated that the AHC model could be used to develop water management strategies for peanuts in Northeast China to conserve water while sustaining agriculture.

First Report of Sclerotinia Blight on Peanut Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Qinghai Province, China.

Historically, peanut has not been produced in Qinghai province located in Northwest China because of the high elevation and cold climates. However, since 2020 field studies have been conducted to evaluate peanut cultivars for suitability to field production. In 2020, peanut cultivation was successful for the first time in Haidong city, Qinghai province, China. In August 2020, brown, irregular-shaped lesions were observed on peanut stems from Qinghai province in China. In the early stage, the watersoaked spots were formed on the stems, then lesions expanded rapidly and became brown. In advanced stages of the disease, stems became bleached and eventually died. The inside of the stems was rotten and hollow, and the diseased stem wilted and died. White hyphae and black irregular shaped sclerotia were observed on the infected stems. Finally, local or whole plant rotted and died at the end. Approximately 10% of the plants in a field were infected. Symptomatic stems were cut into small pieces, disinfected with 75% ethanol for 1 minute, 0.5% NaClO for two minutes, and sterile water for three times. Pieces then were plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media and incubated at 25°C in darkness. Fungal colonies were initially white, becoming gray, then black sclerotia (2.4 to 6.0 mm in diameter) were appeared at the edge of colonies. Genomic DNA of the pure cultures of an isolate (ZHX7) was extracted and PCR was carried out using glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (G3PDH) region primers G3PDH-F/G3PDH-R, heat-shock protein 60 gene (HSP60) region primers HSP60-F/HSP60-R, and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase subunit gene (RPB2) region primers RPB2-F/RPB2-R (Staats et al., 2005), respectively. G3PDH region (Accession No. MZ388475) showed 99.44% sequence identity (887 bp out of 909 bp) to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Accession No. AJ705044, 887 bp out of 887 bp). HSP60 region (Accession No. MZ388476) showed 99.90% sequence identity (972 bp out of 984bp) to S. sclerotiorum (Accession No. AJ716048, 972 bp out of 980 bp). RPB2 region (Accession No. MZ388477) showed 100.00% sequence identity (1096 bp out of 1129 bp) to S. sclerotiorum (Accession No. AJ745716, 1096 bp out of 1096 bp). Phylogenetic analysis was done using Neighbor-Joining (NJ) analysis based on those gene sequences. The isolate was identified as S. sclerotiorum based on molecular analysis and morphological characteristics. For pathogenicity assay, ten-days-old potted peanut (Luhua No.12) seedlings were inoculated with one mycelial plug (8 mm in diameter ) by placing the inoculum on the base of the stem in a growth chamber (30°C in the day and 25°C at night, a 12-h photoperiod and 80% RH). All inoculated seedlings exhibited typical basal stem rot, and root showed different degrees of damage, and wilted 5 days after inoculation. No symptoms were observed on control plants treated with sterile distilled mycelial plugs, and S. sclerotiorum was consistently re-isolated from symptomatic tissue. S. sclerotiorum has been reported on peanut in Northeastern China (Yan et al., 2005). To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. sclerotiorum causing Sclerotinia Blight on peanut in Qinghai province, China. The peanut planting area in Qinghai has been further expanded this year, and S. sclerotiorum has a broad host range (Boland and Hall, 1994), so Sclerotinia Blight is a potential threat to peanut production, and as a result, it is critical for commercial producers to monitor plants for S. sclerotiorum.

Genetic Transformation of Arachis hypogaea Using Novel Genes Conferring Fungal Resistance-A Review

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) or the common ‘peanut’ is a worldwide popular, affordable food containing high protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals. Several biotic and abiotic stresses are responsible for reaching the expected production of peanuts worldwide. Especially, the fungi are the major constraints that not only hamper the production but also that is deadly health hazardous for both human consumption and poultry-livestock. Approaches from various dimensions like cultural management, diseases free cultivar development, hybridization, tissue culture, and genetic transformations have been tried to overcome such challenges. This review epitomizes the total scenario from the plant physiological basis of fungal diseases to the peanut development approaches, which aimed to develop a concrete understanding of sustainable management of peanut production. Comparisons of Genetic Engineering methods such as Agrobacterium-mediated and direct gene gun (particle bombardment- mediated) with traditional hybridization have been compiled here, furthermore, candidate genes transformed to achieve fungus-resistance in peanuts have been listed up to provide an overview. Along with, the limitations of transformation attempts and the techniques for improvisation of transformation techniques have been discussed in sustainable peanut production. This study provides, comprehensive information on fungal-resistant peanut development so that, further research in this arena could be guided in an integrated way, which may serve for the thrust of sustainable improvisation in peanut cultivation.

Impacts of continuous and rotational cropping practices on soil chemical properties and microbial communities during peanut cultivation

Long-term monocultures have severely inhibited the cultivation of Chinese peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). In this study, the effects of continuous cropping on soil chemical properties and microbial communities were investigated in peanut fields that had been in crop rotation for 10 years and in monoculture for 10 years. The results found that long-term monoculture increased the activities of available potassium, available phosphorus, available nitrogen, soil organic matter, urease, acid phosphatase and catalase; while decreasing the activity of catalase. The diversity and abundance of soil bacteria and fungi is higher under continuous peanut cultivation. At the genus level, the relative abundance of potentially beneficial microflora genera was higher in the rhizosphere soil of rotational cropping than in continuous cropping, while the opposite was true for the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic fungal genera. Principal coordinates and cluster analysis indicated that continuous cropping altered the structure of the microbial community. The results of the functional predictions showed significant differences in the functioning of the rhizosphere microbial community between continuous and rotational cropping. In conclusion, long-term continuous cropping changed the chemical properties of the soil, altered the structure and function of the soil bacterial and fungal communities in peanut rhizosphere, which to some extent reduced the relative abundance of potentially beneficial microbial genera and increased the relative abundance of potentially pathogenic fungal genera, thus increasing the potential risk of soil-borne diseases and reducing the yield and quality of peanut. Therefore, in the actual production process, attention should be paid not only to the application of chemical fertilizers, but also to crop rotation and the application of microbial fertilizers.

Effect of Mulching on Growth and Yield of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) on the Coastal Sandy Land in Nghe An Province, Vietnam

Background: Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the oil and cash crops in Vietnam. However, owing to the lack of appropriate management practices, the production and the area under cultivation of peanut have remained low. Mulches are the key factors contributing to promoting crop development and early harvest and increasing yields. Methods: The experiment consisted of three mulch treatments, viz., plastic mulch, straw mulch and no-mulch control. All the treatments were replicated thrice in a complete randomized block design. Result: In the conditions of mulch, the plant growth parameters (germination rate, growing time, plant height, number of branches per plant), leaf area index, the number of nodules per plant, dry matter accumulation, yield components and yield of peanut was much higher than that of no-mulch control. Among the mulches, plastic mulch was found superior to straw mulch in the pod yields and water-use efficiency and moisture conservation, thereby can be considered as a reliable practice for increasing the productivity of peanut on the coastal sandy land in Nghe An province, Vietnam.

Organochlorine pesticides and other pesticides in peanut oil: Residue level, source, household processing factor and risk assessment

Peanut oil, edible vegetable oil largely consumed in China, may be polluted with pesticides during both peanut cultivation and processing. In this study, we analyzed organochlorine pesticides, five currently used pesticides and two degradation products, in soils, seeds, peanuts, oil and dregs and systematically tracked variations of their levels in field soils and during the pressing process. The results showed that the application of metolachlor, pirimicarb and quizalofop-p-ethyl pesticides during peanut cultivation caused their concentrations in peanuts to increase. In most samples, the concentration of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid was higher than that of λ-cyhalothrin, and the variation trends of λ-cyhalothrin and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid in soil samples were similar, which indicate that after application, most λ-cyhalothrin may rapidly be degraded to 3-phenoxybenzoic acid. Regarding the pressing process of peanut oil, the sum of mass of oil and shells was less than the mass of the corresponding raw peanut. Compared with that in peanuts, the total mass of most pesticides in oil and shells was lower, while that of two degradation products was higher, an indication that the degradation products were still generated during the pressing process. Finally, the assessment of health risk of different age groups consuming the studied peanuts and peanut oil showed that the risk was very low.

‘IAC SEMPRE VERDE’: a wild-derived peanut cultivar highly resistant to foliar diseases

‘IAC Sempre Verde’ is a medium-seeded runner-type peanut highly resistant to late leaf spot and rust, the main diseases in peanut cultivation in Brazil. The newly released cultivar showed remarkable yield advantage over controls when diseases were not controlled and represents the first possibility for peanut cultivation under “Organic” management.

Yield, quality, antioxidants and elemental composition of peanut as affected by plant density and harvest time

With the perspective of reintroducing peanut cultivation in southern Italy about six decades after its dismissal, research was carried out with the aim to identify the best performing farming management in terms of yield and quality. In this respect, the effect of the factorial combination between four plant densities (6.1, 7.8, 10.3, and 12.1 plants m-2) and two harvest times (100 and 110 days after planting) was assessed on pod and seed yield, as well as on seed quality, antioxidant activity, and elemental composition. The later harvest time determined a 26.9% dry weight increase, but a 14.3% decrease in the number of seeds per pod. Plant density significantly influenced all the yield and growth indices except for mean seed weight. Yield and growth of each plant were best affected by the lowest plant density, whereas the opposite trend was recorded for the same parameters referred to the surface area unit. The density of 12.1 plants m-2 resulted in a 32% reduction in pods per plant compared to 6.1 plants m-2, but had the greatest effect on seed production per m-2. The leaf area index was the highest with the density of 12.1 plants m-2. The total dry weight increased by 1.7-fold from 6.1 to 12.1 plants m-2. Compared to the first harvest time, in the second one the protein content decreased by 6.8%, and total polyphenols and antioxidant activity decreased by 11.2% and 7.6%, respectively. The second harvest time led to a depletion of N, P, and Mg, by 6.8%, 6.2%, and 6.8%, respectively, and a 7.1% Ca increase. The reintroduction of peanut cultivation in southern Italy is a realistic goal, though further studies regarding the crop system management are needed.