In developing groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea) kernels, the most active period of lipid, chiefly triacylglycerol (TG) accumulation is between 15 and 35 days after podding (DAP). Between 5 and 15 DAP starch content was enhanced but declined thereafter up to maturity. With progressive development of kernels both phospholipids and free fatty acids decreased, whereas total glycerides continuously increased. At 15 DAP, [U- 14C]fructose was incorporated into TG at a high rate. The incorporation of [1- 14C]acetate into TG increased progressively during the active period of lipid accumulation. The rate of incorporation of the latter into TG was about three-fold greater than that of fructose. Addition of glycerol (0.5 mM) in the incubation medium stimulated lipid accumulation and is attributed to the limited availability of glycerol and other metabolites, especially during the active period of lipid accumulation in seed [15–35 DAP]. Foliar spray treatments with a mixture of aliphatic alcohols enhanced incorporation of [U- 14C]fructose and [1- 14C]acetate into TG of the developing kernels. The regulatory mechanisms involved in the stimulation of lipid accumulation are discussed.