Abstract

Many species of Arachis fail to produce seeds after self- or cross-pollination. A primary barrier to seed production is pegging for many genotypes; therefore, the effect of applying GA₃ (gibberellic acid) to flowers was investigated. Species of Arachis were treated with 0, 88, 176, or 352 ppm GA₃ daily for 30 days and the number of flowers and pegs recorded. The species A. chacoense Krap. et Greg. nom. nud., A. villosa Benth., A. correntina (Burk) Krap. et Greg. nom. nud., A diogoi Hoehne, A. stenosperma Greg. et Greg. nom. nud., and A. sp. coll. GK 30006 had a linear response in peg formation to increased levels of GA₃ However, A. sp. coll. GKPSc 30108 had a quadratic response. Arachis cardenasii Krap. et Greg, nom. nud. had a cubic response to GA₃ levels. The species A. helodes Mart. ex. Krap. et Rig., A. sp. coll. GK 30008, A. sp. coll. GK 30011, A. sp. coll. GK 30017, A. glabrata Benth and A. hypogaea did not have a significant peg response to application of GA₃. Flowering was suppressed on all species by 352 ppm GA₃. Application of either 88 or 176 ppm GA₃ resulted in increased numbers of pegs for all species except A. hypogaea, A. sp. coll. GK 30017 and A. sp. coll. GK 30011. In another experiment, plants of A. chacoense, A. cardenasii, A. villosa, A. helodes, and A. diogoi were treated with 176 ppm GA ₃ and pegs were allowed to mature but no seeds were recovered. A crossing program using NC 4 in reciprocal with five species resulted in a significant increase in seeds when GA₃ applications were applied, but only for hybrid combinations which are normally successful without GA₃. Parthenocarpic development is believed to account for increased numbers of pegs. Because pegging is mandatory before seeds can be obtained in Arachis, applications of GA₃ will add significantly toward overcoming a reproductive barrier in Arachis. However, application of additional growth regulators will be necessary to stimulate development of the embryo.

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Keywords: Gibberellin, Arachis hypogaea, parthenocarpy, Wild species, germplasm

How to Cite:

Stalker, H. & Seitz, M. & Reece, P., (1987) “Effect of Gibberellic Acid on Pegging and Seed Set of Arachis Species¹”, Peanut Science 14(1), p.21-25. doi: https://doi.org/10.3146/i0095-3679-14-1-6

Author Notes

¹Paper No. 10632 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina Agriculture Research Service, Raleigh, NC 276957601. The work was funded in part by SEA-CR grant no. 83-CRCR-1-1334 and by AID Peanut CRSP Grant DAN-4048-G-SS-2065-00.