Preliminary study on the storability of five peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties

A laboratory experiment was conducted at the Post-Harvest and Seed Science Div., Inst. of Crop Science, CAFS-UPLB [College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños], to determine the shelf-life of five peanut varieties, namely:Biyaya 8, Biyaya 10, Biyaya 14, Phl 14 and PH93. Seeds were stored under ambient (30 deg C) and refrigerated (15 deg C) conditions for eight months. Percent germination, vigor and moisture content were evaluated every two months to monitor the performance of the different varieties over time. To establish whether seed weight is correlated with the various seed quality parameters, 100- seed weight of the five varieties was also determined. Results of ANOVA indicated difference in seed quality among the five varieties, with Biyaya 8 and Biyaya 10 exhibiting the highest germination and vigor throughout the storage period. Temperature also showed significant effect on seed quality. Germination and vigor declined progressively throughout the storage period but generally declined in the quality started on the month of storage. Moreover, the decline in germination and vigor was greater under ambient condition. Storing seeds under cold temperature, even as simple as refrigeration, maintained seed germination and vigor to above 85%, especially that of Biyaya 8 and Biyaya 10. In terms of 100-seed weight, difference were also observed among varieties, with Biyaya 8 having the lowest value. Although 100-seed weight is not significantly correlated with germination and vigor. Biyaya 8, which have the lowest 100-seed weight, consistently showed higher germination and vigor compared to the other varieties. The results of this preliminary study can be used as basis for exploring the potential of Biyaya 8 and Biyaya 10 as sources for genes for developing peanut varieties with longer shelf-life. In addition, the results will be used as basis to establish a standard procedure for subsequent storability analysis of other peanut accessions.