Abstract

Rapid and uniform stand establishment of vigorous seedlings is basic to good crop performance. Seed size has been shown to be an important factor in the production of a number of agronomic crops. The objectives of this study were to determine the performance of various seed sizes of Florunner peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) relative to the rate of emergence, seedling vigor, yield, and grade, when grown under field conditions, and to determine the size distributions of the seed harvested from these plantings. The seed were sized on a nested set of slotted screens of the following slot widths: 1) 8.53 mm, 2) 7.54 mm, 3) 6.75 mm, 4) 5.95 mm, 5) 5.16 mm and a standard slot length of 19.05 mm. Over 40% of the seed passed through the 8.53 mm screen and rode the 7.54 mm screen, and 90% or more of the seed rode the 6.75 mm or larger screen. Rate-of-emergence and seedlingvigor data were significantly affected by planted-seed size and positively associated with increased seed size. Significant differences in yield in favor of the larger seed sizes were noted in two of the three years of testing. When data were combined across years, significant difference for yield was obtained only between the smallest planted-seed size (5.16 mm) and the others. Grading-data responses were similar to those noted for yield. ELK values and 100-seed weight were significantly affected by planted-seed size, with a positive correlation of r = 0.925 between planted-seed size and 100-seed weight of harvested seed. Values for SMK and total meats indicated a highly significant year x size interaction. The planting-seed size had a significant effect on harvested-seed size some years, but the patterns of response were not consistent.

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Keywords: Groundnut, Arachis hypogaea, seed quality

How to Cite:

Gorbet, D., (1977) “Effect of Seed Size on the Performance of Florunner Peanuts¹”, Peanut Science 4(1), p.32-36. doi: https://doi.org/10.3146/i0095-3679-4-1-8

Author Notes

¹Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 234.