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Growth, Flowering, and Fruiting Responses of Peanut Plants to Ethrel^1,2

The stage of fruiting subsequent to flowering of peanut plants is called pegging. Pegs naturally produce ethylene during initial stages of growth. This study was done to test whether an exogenous source of ethylene, Ethrel [(2- chloroethyl) phosphonic acid], could affect growth, pegging, and yield of peanut plants. Spanish-type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants grown in the greenhouse were sprayed to runoff with different Ethrel concentrations. Dry weight of the shoots was not reduced. Concentrations below 5 x 10^–4M did not inhibit flowering, but all concentrations except 10^–5M reduced production of mature pods and seeds. Three applications of 5 x 10^–4M Ethrel at 2-week intervals beginning 2 and 3 weeks postemergence (PE) caused prolonged inhibition of the onset of flowering, and there was eventual cessation of flowering in treatments beginning at 4 weeks PE. All treatments reduced production of mature pods and seeds. Only a single application of 5 x 10^–4M Ethrel at 6 weeks PE did not reduce yield.

In 1976 field trials, Ethrel was applied at 0, 0.14, and 0.28 kg active ingredient/ha in 374 liters of water/ha. Three applications of each rate were made to separate plots at 2-week intervals beginning 2 weeks PE. There was no significant effect on yield or value for ‘Start,’ ‘Tanmut 74,’ and ‘Florunner’ cultivars. In 1977, two separate field trials were conducted with single PE Ethrel treatments of 0, 0.28, and 0.56 kg active ingredient/ha at 4 weeks (early flowering) and 0 and 0.56 kg/ha at weeks. The 4-week application at both rates reduced yields, but did not affect value. However, treatment at 10 weeks did not affect yields, but reduced value, indicating delayed fruit maturation in addition to inhibition of late flowering.

Although flowering of peanut plants was readily regulated by Ethrel treatment, it had either no effect or its effect(s) was deleterious to yield and value of peanuts over a range of concentrations and times of application.

Key Words: Ethephon • Growth regulator • Ethylene • Groundnut • Yield

² Mention of a trademark, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute endorsement by the USDA or Texas A&M Univ. and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that also may be suitable.

³ Plant physiologist, AR-SEA-USDA. Present address: Agronomy Dep., Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK 74074, and assistant professor, Texas Agric. Exp. Stn., Texas A&M Univ. Plant Disease Research Stn., P. O. Box 755, Yoakum, TX 77995.

Accepted for publication July 30, 1979.