Wednesday, November 15, 2006 - 9:45 AM
256-4

Handling Peanut Seed: a Sensitive Issue.

John P. Beasley Jr., University of Georgia, Crop and Soil Sciences Dept., P.O. Box 1209, Tifton, GA 31793

Peanut, Arachis hypogaea L., is a major food and oil crop worldwide. The USA is the third leading producer of peanut behind China and India, accounting for approximately 2.2 million metric tons. Worldwide production is approximately 29 million metric tons per year. In 2005, producers in the USA produced just over 4.8 billion pounds of peanut on approximately 1.6 million acres. Within the USA, peanut is produced in ten states with Georgia accounting for approximately 45% of the acreage and production in 2005. Processors that handle farmers stock grade peanuts to be shelled for edible kernels also shell for seed production. Peanut seed are very sensitive to handling. Excessive drying of seed results in testa slippage and/or splitting, both of which reduce germination. Peanut seed require a minimum of 250 ppm of calcium for adequate germination. Fungicidal seed treatments are necessary to prevent seedling diseases. Producers are encouraged to keep seed in a cool, dry facility prior to planting and handle seed bags gently to prevent damage and splitting of kernels