Improving quality and utilization of Caribbean-grown peanuts
1992
Hinds, M.J. | Mellowes, W.A. | Singh, B.
Studies aimed at improving the quality of marketed peanuts by the use of reliable maturity indices were conducted. Samples of peanuts were collected between 99 to 141 days after planting for 3 years from 2 soil types in St. Vincent. The percent nut-fill, the percentage volume of green seeds to their pods was determined for the individual maturity classes from each treatment. A percent nut-fill of 41.5 +-1.3 % reliability distinguished mature pods from other maturity classes. The fatty acid contents of the seeds were determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Results indicated that 57.37 +-0.77 % oleic acid in oil of seeds could be used as a maturity index. These maturity methodologies can be adapted to other commonly-grown cultivars through training of farmers, graders and laboratory personnel. Improved quality in marketed nuts would provide incentives to farmers and to processors to increase production and utilization, respectively of locally-grown peanuts.
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