HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Glueck, J. A. Articles by Smith, O. D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Glueck, J. A. Articles by Smith, O. D. Agricola Articles by Glueck, J. A. Articles by Smith, O. D.

Testa Comparisons of Four Peanut Cultivars¹

Testa integrity and seed quality of four cultivars dried at two temperatures were compared on the basis of percentage sound split kernels. Multiple harvests compensated for differences in maturation rates. ‘New Mexico Valencia A’ had fewer sound split kernels than either ‘Starr’ or ‘Florunner’. Start and Florunner had a twofold increase in sound split kernels with extreme (approximately 49 C) compared to recommended (35 C maximum) drying temperatures. The increase in sound split kernels in New Mexico Valencia ‘A’ was nonsignificant. ‘NCFLA 14’ was similar to New Mexico Valencia ‘A’ with recommended drying, but had a significantly higher percentage of sound split kernels with extreme drying. Genetic improvements through breeding should be possible in both subspecies fastigiata and hypogaea of Arachis hypogaea L. Examination of testae by light and electron microscopy revealed that testa thickness, appearance, and structure varied with cultivar, maturity, and area of seed examined. Testae of mature New Mexico Valencia ‘A’ seed were, in general, less compacted and more flexible than those of Starr and Florunner. When dried at 49 C, New Mexico Valencia ‘A’ testae lost some flexibility but did not become brittle like Starr. The middle parenchyma cells of Starr testae appeared crushed and compressed against the thick-walled inner parenchyma cell layer. Thin inner parenchyma, non-compact middle parenchyma and relatively thick-walled outer sclerenchyma cell layers seemed to be primary factors related to maintenance of testa integrity. Testae of mature seed of Florunner and NC-FLA 14 were similar to Starr and New Mexico Valencia ‘A’, respectively.

Key Words: Fruit development • Grade analysis • Maturity • Ovary • Ovule • Scanning Electon Microscopy • Seed quality • Seet structure • Sound split kernels

² Graduate research assistant, Soil and Crop Sci. Dep., Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX 77843; associate professor, Texas A&M Univ. Res. and Ext. Cent., Vernon, TX 76384; and associate professor, Soil and Crop Sci. Dep., Texas Ag:M Univ., College Station, TX 77843.

Received for publication February 14, 1977.