Tropical peanut maturation scale for harvesting seeds with superior quality

Author(s)

de Oliveira, Gustavo Roberto Fonseca ; da Silva, Edvaldo Aparecido Amaral

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE; v. 15, p. 15-pg., 2024-05-08.

Abstract

Determining the moment for harvesting the tropical peanut with a focus on superior seed quality is not an easy task. Particularities such as indeterminate flowering, underground fruiting and uneven maturation further increase this technical challenge. It is in this context that we aim to investigate harvest indicators based on the maturation and late maturation phases of tropical peanuts to obtain seeds with superior physiological and health quality. The plants were grown in field conditions and their development stages were carefully monitored until seed production. The water content, dry weight, germination capacity, desiccation tolerance, vigor, longevity, and seed pathogens were evaluated throughout these stages. We showed that seeds from early stages (R5 and R6) did not fully tolerate desiccation and were highly sensitive to pathogen contamination after storage (Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Bacteria). At late stages (R7, R8, and R9), the seeds had optimized vigor, longevity and bioprotection against fungi and thermal stress. The peanut maturation scale for tropical agriculture provides unique harvesting guidelines that make it possible to monitor the plants' development stages with a focus on producing superior quality seeds. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/00435-9 - Anthocyanin: a new biomarker for physiological quality of peanut seeds?
• Grantee: Gustavo Roberto Fonseca de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 21/07331-9 - Physiological and molecular studies during the acquisition of longevity in peanut seeds (Arachis hypogaea L.)
• Grantee: Edvaldo Aparecido Amaral da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/14050-3 - Peanut seed maturity disuniformity: physiological, chemical and transcriptomic approach
• Grantee: Gustavo Roberto Fonseca de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate