Duration: 02/01/2008 to 09/30/2013

Administrative Advisor(s):

NIFA Reps:

Non-Technical Summary

Statement of Issues and Justification

Virginia-type peanut production throughout the Virginia-Carolina (V-C) region adds millions of dollars to the economies of the region. Recently, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted certification to virginia-type peanuts grown in the V-C region, as these peanuts have a unique flavor and quality not duplicated in other production areas within the U.S. Following the termination of the peanut quota system, South Carolina peanut production has increased from 33,000 acres in 2004 to 59,000 acres in 2006. North Carolina peanut acres have declined slightly from 105,000 acres in 2004 to about 85,000 acres in 2006 with a shift in acreage from northern toward southern counties within the state. Peanut acreage in Virginia has dropped from approximately 75,000 acres in 2001 to 17,000 in 2006. The estimated value of the peanut crop in 2006 was $28.32M in South Carolina, $49.7M in North Carolina, and $9.27M in Virginia for a total value of $87.28M within the region. Although there have been recent shifts in acreage in the V-C region, peanut remains a very valuable commodity and is likely to retain the nearly 160,000 plus acres it occupies for years to come.

The proposed enhanced PVQE program will provide seed of breeding lines and cultivars for evaluation by other participating states. PVQE testing needs to be expanded in order to examine variations in disease and insect pressure on peanuts in other areas. For example, diseases such as late leaf spot, Rhizoctonia limb rot, and southern stem rot, and insects such as burrowing bug and lesser cornstalk borer, are of particular economic concern to peanut growers in South Carolina but are much less of a problem in Virginia and North Carolina. Growers may minimize their investment risk by knowledge of cultivar performance in their region.

Expanded research will include examination of advanced breeding lines that have low susceptibility to diseases of economic importance, suitable grade and quality attributes, and that consistently yield well under environmental conditions and soil types specific to other states. It is expected that some advanced breeding lines could perform well enough to be considered for joint release by NCSU and Clemson just as they have in the past between NCSU and Virginia Tech.

This research will insure that seed growers and commercial peanut producers have the best tools possible to make informed decisions about released cultivars which can lead to improved yields and quality of peanuts grown in the V-C region. These studies will yield timely results that ensure that growers have acceptable cultivars to plant and that useful information is available to all segments of the peanut industry. Stakeholders for this project include breeders, producers, extension agents, consumers, retailers, and shellers. A multistate approach is the best mechanism to meet the research and educational needs of these groups. The PVQE program is being expanded into South Carolina, while at the same time keeping the program closely aligned with the needs of shellers, manufacturers, and processors. This will help to diversify funding for the PVQE program to ensure long-term program stability and continued mutual benefit for participating states and all segments of the peanut industry that are served by this program.

Related, Current and Previous Work

All of the virginia-type cultivars planted throughout the V-C region have undergone multiple seasons of testing in the Peanut Variety and Quality Evaluation (PVQE) program centered at the Virginia Tech Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Suffolk, Virginia. Established in 1968, this program has been jointly funded by Virginia Tech and North Carolina State University for the past 38 years (S-1003, S-140). The PVQE program has gained international recognition for data that supports cultivar development and quality evaluations. It is unique among established peanut programs at universities throughout the U.S. This program serves as a source of unbiased information on lines developed by the NCSU Breeding Program for North Carolina and for the Virginia Tech Variety Selection Program. The PVQE program also provides a forum for various segments of the peanut production/shelling/processing industry to advise the breeding program of North Carolina and the Selection Program of Virginia and to evaluate the suitability of those lines for use in the V-C area. In this manner, the PVQE program serves the seed trade, in-shell peanut trade, the gourmet peanut market, export markets, as well as the edible peanut market within the U.S. Information relative to all the quality factors emphasized by each of these markets is pre-determined before a peanut cultivar is released for production. In addition, cultural information is supplied for producers relative to yields, grades, calcium requirements, disease and insect resistance, etc. The PVQE program provides all of this for every segment of the industry.

Before being released, every virginia-type breeding line is compared to standard cultivars and a full dossier of cultural and quality information is obtained. Thorough comparisons make it possible to predict the likelihood of success for a variety within the peanut industry. The informational database developed for each elite line includes notes on climatic conditions throughout the growing season, pre-plant fertility, record of cultural practices and inputs, growth habit, plant height, grade data, preharvest ratings of TSWV/ CBR and other diseases, pod yield, percentage of pod sizes (fancy, jumbo, etc.), kernel quality (sound mature kernels, loose shelled kernels, sound splits, etc.), as well as the dollar value per acre. A quality database is established that includes pod brightness, kernel blanching data, roasting data, fatty acid composition, iodine values (indicator of shelf life), oleic/linoleic ratio (indicator of keeping quality and health aspects), and calcium concentration (indicator of seed quality). In addition, lines that are under consideration for release are made into peanut products (roasted in-shell, salted in-shell, blanched and roasted whole kernels, peanut butter, peanut brittle, etc.) and taste tested for potential consumer acceptance.

Recently-released virginia market-type peanut cultivars that have gone thorough PVQE testing include CHAMPS (15), Brantley (10), and Phillips (11). These cultivars consistently yield well in Virginia and North Carolina, are adapted to growing conditions in the region, and are acceptable to the peanut shelling and processing industries. Ensuring acceptability prior to cultivar release and subsequent production is integral to the success of the peanut producer as well as the associated industries. Other virginia-type cultivars that have previously passed through this program include NC 17 (7), NC Fla 14 (8), NC 6 (2), NC 7 (24), NC-8C (19), NC 9 (25), NC 10C (22), NC V 11 (23), NC 12C (9), Gregory (13), Perry (12), VA 72R (1), VA 81B (5), VA C 92R (18), VA 93B (6), VA 98R (14), and Wilson (16). Occasionally, breeding lines from other public- or private-sector peanut breeding programs have been entered in the PVQE program. Peanut cultivars released following evaluation in the PVQE program have been widely grown in the V-C region. In part, this has been due to the extensive quality data collected by the PVQE program in multiple locations and used by breeders at NCSU, USDA-ARS, and Virginia Tech to make release decisions. Within the PVQE program, a coordinated effort is made toward the publication of annual reports, refereed journal articles, online teaching materials, and contribution of data to state production guides that benefit peanut growers throughout the V-C region. This research directly adds value to virginia market-type peanuts and benefits shellers and processors of V-C grown peanuts by making cultivars available that have brighter pod color, most desired flavor of roasted in-shell and cooked extra large kernels, and fatty acid composition that promotes longer shelf life and optimal balance of polyunsaturated to saturated fats.

Multistate Project S-1003, conducted by R. W. Mozingo, then later by D. L. Coker, "Variety and Quality Evaluation of Virginia-type Peanuts," (0191105) terminated September 30, 2007. A search of the CRIS database resulted in identification of three peanut breeding and genetics projects. Three of these are in Florida (0199617, 0199437, and 0177295) and deal mainly with development of runner-type varieties for southeastern U.S. production and one is in Texas (0161373) dealing mainly with runner-type peanut development for the southwestern peanut belt. Although there are other peanut breeding programs in the U.S. that are known by this author, two in Georgia, and one in Oklahoma, none of these deals specifically with varietal development and quality evaluation of virginia-type peanuts. The new project, proposed herein, differs significantly from S-1003 with expansion into a third state, South Carolina, because of a shift in acreage of virginia-type peanut production toward the south. The new project will also have an increased emphasis on the physiology of new virginia-type peanut genotypes. Previous physiological research relative to peanut quality has been conducted on the oxidative stability of high-oleic vs normal-oleic fatty acids (20). Pattee, et al. (21) studied the effects of the high-oleic trait on sensory attributes of roasted peanuts. Mozingo, et al. (17) researched the effects of high oleic fatty acid chemistry on the shelf life of inshell peanuts. Little is known about these aspects of our new virginia-type peanut cultivars and elite breeding lines, particularly in relation to genetics, current production practices, and environmental conditions. To remedy this and to ensure continued development of the critical database of quality information for virginia-type peanuts, a Crop Physiologist is being sought to coordinate the PVQE Program and conduct the proposed research.

The proposed quality evaluation research is important to all segments of the peanut industry, including producers, breeders, shellers, manufacturers, gourmet peanut processors, and consumers. Without the valuable informational database provided by this research project, breeders would have to seek information from a number of different laboratories and testing organizations making the task more difficult, time consuming, and very costly. Without the provision of extensive testing in multiple years across multiple environments far less would be known about the expected responses of new varieties. This could result in varietal failure in the marketplace and greater risk to producers, shellers, and manufacturers. Failure of a new variety to meet the high standards required by the U.S. peanut industry is costly to the industry and discouraging to the breeding programs. The quality evaluation research proposed herein will eliminate most of that risk, providing an extensive database on which to make wise varietal development and release decisions while ensuring that new varieties will meet the high expectations of shellers, processors, and manufacturers.

Objectives

1. To examine the yield, grade, quality, maturity, insect and disease response of advanced virginia-type peanut breeding lines and released cultivars in replicated tests within key growing areas.
   
2. To develop a database for virginia-type peanut genotypes allowing knowledge-based selection for release of adapted cultivars that will meet all of the criteria for market success within the peanut industry within the respective states.
   
3. To find virginia-type peanut line(s) that would be well adapted to the southernmost part of the V-C growing region and be suitable for development into cultivars.
   

Methods

Overview: Replicated small-plot trials (PVQE tests) will be conducted at multiple locations in Virginia (2 locations), North Carolina (3 locations), and South Carolina (1 location). Entries will be lines with desirable traits selected from breeder tests conducted independently in the participating states. Within the PVQE small-plot tests, all selected virginia-type genotypes will be compared to standard cultivars currently in production. All genotypes in PVQE tests will be thoroughly evaluated for quality factors and judged against industry standards. Data will be analyzed and presented to a PVQE Advisory Committee for scrutiny before selecting genotypes for increase and further evaluation for potential release as cultivars. Runner cultivars will be compared in Virginia and North Carolina to determine their potential for use by producers. Experimental Design and Plot Management: Plots will be seeded with a precision planter in 36-inch beds at four seed per foot of row in all tests. Plots will be 2 rows trimmed to 30 feet and treatments will be replicated two or three times as dictated by resource allocation analysis and practical concerns such as seed supply and travel budget. In advance of the planting window, seed will be packaged at the Tidewater AREC and delivered to the cooperating state(s). Treating and packaging seed for all trials at one facility will insure that the same quality of seed is used in all locations. Treatments will be arranged in randomized complete block or in lattice designs. Soil fertility, herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide inputs will be made according to Extension recommendations. Separate tests will be planted to accommodate two digging dates at two of the test sites, one in Virginia, and one in North Carolina. An early digging will be based on early- to mid-maturing lines having 60 to 70 percent of pods showing mesocarp tissue brown or black. The later digging will be based on mid- to late-maturing lines having 60 to 70 percent of pods showing mesocarp tissue brown or black. Only one digging date will be used for the other four sites with harvest at optimal maturity for one or more standard test cultivars. Virginia Tech personnel will manage field trials from planting through harvest in three locations in North Carolina, and two locations in Virginia. For greater efficiency, some of the plot maintenance on the one South Carolina, trial will be performed by staff at the PeeDee Agricultural Research Center. Complete quality evaluation will be performed within the PVQE program at the Tidewater AREC. To minimize variability all field trials will be planted and harvested by the PVQE technical staff and data will be collected from all tests by the staff. Existing trucks, tractors, planters, combines, sprayers, computers, insect monitoring equipment, laboratory space, experiment farm acreage, peanut grading, and drying and germplasm storage facilities will be used to implement this study. A complete cleaning, sizing, shelling, and grading facility is available within the PVQE Program at the Tidewater AREC. Freezers for germplasm storage are also available as is equipment for seed treatment. Data from all trials will be subjected to appropriate statistical analysis for evaluation. Objective 1 - Field Measurements: To develop an agronomic and pest response database relative to different locations and environments, field measurements will be made as indicated below: (a) Susceptibility to tomato spotted wilt virus, late leaf spot, southern stem rot, and any other diseases of regional importance. (b) Susceptibility to thrips, southern corn rootworm and other insect pests. (c) Growth habit and terminal height. (d) Yield, value per pound, and value per acre based on yield and grade Objective 2 - Laboratory Measurements: To allow selection of genotypes based on quality factors that determine suitability for the industry, laboratory measurements will be taken on lines with proven agronomic potential for the region. These measurements include all of the following: (a) Pod brightness (Hunter L score); (b) Grade factors including jumbo and fancy pod fractions, and fractions of shelled goods falling into various US grades; (c) Fatty acid composition; (d) Kernel Ca concentration; (e) Blanchability of extra large and medium kernels; (f) Potential consumer acceptability of processed peanuts. Objective 3 - Evaluation of the databases of objectives 1 and 2 for genotypes grown in the southernmost growing area (South Carolina) will allow selection to meet objective 3. Requirements for genotype maturity and pest resistance differ from the more northerly to the more southerly latitude. Genotypes may be identified that do well in South Carolina but would not be acceptable for the more northerly latitude.

Measurement of Progress and Results

Outputs

• Annual publication of reports of agronomic data on lines tested at six locations through the PVQE Program; Data will give comparisons of lines to standard cultivars to determine suitability for the in-shell and roasted peanut markets. Results will include growth habit, plant height, yields, grades, pods in different size classes, and projected market value. Disease and insect resistance/susceptibility data will be included.
• Annual publication of reports on quality data of lines tested at six locations through the PVQE Program. Data will give quality comparisons of kernel blanching for the different size classes, calcium content of seed, fatty acid composition, seed size distribution, mill outturn, appearance of kernels, flavor, pod brightness, cooking qualities, suitability for roasting, suitability for peanut brittle, etc. These data coupled with the agronomic data are essential for determining whether a breeding line will be acceptable to various segments of the peanut industry and have the potential to succeed in the market place.
• Presentation of data to the PVQE Advisory Committee, presentation of information at appropriate industry meetings and scientific meetings.
• Papers on breeding lines and cultivars in appropriate scientific journals.
• Data sufficient to make knowledge-based decisions for cultivar releases adapted to the various areas of the V-C growing region.

Outcomes or Projected Impacts

• Determination of the suitability of advanced breeding lines to meet the needs of various segments of the peanut industry.
• Development of new cultivars with different and improved characteristics over standard cultivars.
• New breeding lines will be tested as made available through the NCSU Peanut Breeding Program.
• Thorough testing of the agronomic and physiological qualities of breeding lines will ensure that cultivars developed will do well for producers and have the characteristics desired by shellers and manufacturers.
• A shift to heart healthy high oleic peanut cultivars is underway, and all characteristics of these lines as well as their adaptability to the full range of environments from Virginia to South Carolina will be determined before they become available as cultivars.

Milestones

(0):Breeder Tests conducted in Virginia and North Carolina and lines selected for PVQE Testing. Lines selected for comparison and advancement become available for further testing. (VT and NCSU)

(0):Advanced lines tested for agronomic characteristics, adaptability to the growing areas, and physiological qualities for use by all segments of the V-C peanut industry. Elite line(s) chosen for consideration for release as a cultivar(s); Research presented and published. (VT, NCSU, and CU)

(2008): Seed increased for elite line(s) selected at VT. Release decision made or line(s) slated for further testing. Seed made available for NC or Virginia Foundation Seed as appropriate. (VT)

(2009): High oleic lines tested in PVQE for agronomic characteristics, adaptability, and physiological qualities. Lines selected for advancement and potential release as cultivars. (VT, NCSU, and CU)

(2011): Elite line(s) selected for release approval. Elite Line(s) chosen for release as cultivar(s) (NCSU)

Projected Participation

View Appendix E: Participation

Outreach Plan

Findings will be published by the investigators in their annual reports (hardcopy, web, and CD), discussed in production meetings, used to update harvest information provided by the state Peanut Production Guides, and published in appropriate refereed journals. Data will be scrutinized by the PVQE Advisory Committee annually and pertinent information will be presented to the V-C Peanut Advisory Committee every other year.

Organization/Governance

Virginia will serve as the lead state for this project. Virginia Tech will provide salary, fringe benefits, and general operating support for the Project Leader and lead technician. Each participating state will be expected to contribute financially to the project by transferring funds to Virginia Tech for partial support of technical and clerical personnel, travel, and supplies associated with the research.

Literature Cited

1. Alexander, M.W., and R.W. Mozingo. 1972. Registration of 'Virginia 72R' peanuts (Reg. No. 13). Crop Sci. 12: 127.

2. Campbell, W.V., J.C. Wynne, D.A. Emery, and R.W. Mozingo. 1977. Registration of 'NC6' peanuts (Reg. No. 20). Crop Sci. 17: 346.

3. Coker, D.L. 2006. 2005 Peanut Variety and Quality Evaluation Results I. Agronomic and Grade Data. Va. Polytechnic Univ. and State Univ. Tidewater Agric. Res. and Ext. Ctr. Inf. Ser. No. 479. [Online at http://www.ext.edu/pubs/cses/432-301/432-301. html., Va. Coop/ Ext. Serv. Publ. no. 432-301.]

4. Coker, D.L. 2006. 2005 Peanut Variety and Quality Evaluation results II. Quality data. Va. Polytechnic Univ. and State Univ. Tidewater Agric. Res. and Ext. Ctr. Inf. Ser. No. 477.

5. Coffelt, T.A., D.M. Porter, and R.W. Mozingo. 1982. Registration of 'Virginia 81 Bunch' peanut (Reg. No. 25). Crop Sci. 22: 1085-1086.

6. Coffelt, T.A., D.M. Porter, and R.W. Mozingo. 1994. Registration of 'VA 93B' peanut. Crop Sci. 34(4): 1126.

7. Emery, D.A. 1970. Registration of 'NC17' peanuts (Reg. No. 7). Crop Sci. 10: 460.

8. Emery, D.A., A.J. Norden, J.C. Wynne, and R.W. Mozingo. 1974. Registration of 'NC-Fla 14' peanuts (Reg. No. 17). Crop Sci. 14: 494.

9. Isleib, T.G., P.W. Rice, J.E. Bailey, R.W. Mozingo, and H.E. Pattee. 1997. Registration of 'NC 12C' peanut. Crop Sci. 37(6): 1976.

10. Isleib, T.G., P.W. Rice, R.W. Mozingo II, S.C. Copeland, J.B. Graeber, W.F. Novitzky, H.E. Pattee, T.H. Sanders, R.W. Mozingo, and D.L. Coker. 2006. Registration of 'Brantley' peanut. Crop Sci. 46: 2309-2311.

11. Isleib, T.G., P.W. Rice, R.W. Mozingo II, S.C. Copeland, J.B. Graeber, H.E. Pattee, T.H. Sanders, R.W. Mozingo, and D.L. Coker. 2006. Registration of 'Phillips' peanut. Crop Sci. 46: 2308-2309.

12. Isleib, T.G., P.W. Rice, R.W. Mozingo II, R.W. Mozingo, J.E. Bailey, and H.E. Pattee. 2003. Registration of 'Perry' peanut. Crop Sci. 43: 739-740.

13. Isleib, T.G., P.W. Rice, R.W. Mozingo, R.W. Mozingo II, and H.E. Pattee. 1999. Registration of 'Gregory' peanut. Crop Sci. 39(5): 1526.

14. Mozingo, R.W., T.A. Coffelt, and T.G. Isleib. 2000. Registration of 'VA 98R' peanut. Crop Sci. 40: 1202-1203. 15. Mozingo, R.W., T.A. Coffelt, P.M. Phipps, and D.L. Coker. 2006. Registration of 'CHAMPS' peanut. Crop Sci. 46: 2711-2712.

16. Mozingo, R.W., T.A. Coffelt, C.W. Swann, and P.M. Phipps. 2004. Registration of 'Wilson' peanut. Crop Sci. 44: 1017-1018.

17. Mozingo, R.W., S. F. OKeefe, T. H. Sanders, and K. W. Hendrix. 2004. Improving shelf life of roasted and salted inshell peanuts using high oleic fatty acid chemistry. Peanut Sci. 31:40-45.

18. Mozingo, R.W., J.C. Wynne, D.M. Porter, T.A. Coffelt, and T.G. Isleib. 1994. Registration of 'VA-C 92R' peanut. Crop Sci. 34(2): 539.

19. Wynne, J.C., and M.K. Beute. 1983. Registration of 'NC 8C' peanut (Reg. No. 27). Crop Sci. 23: 184.

20. OKeefe, S., V. Wiley, and D. Knauft. 1993. Comparison of oxidative stabilityof high- and normal-oleic peanut oils. J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc. 70:489-492.

21. Pattee, H. E., T. G. Isleib, K. M. Moore, D. W. Gorbet, and F. G. Giesbrecht. 2002. Effect of high-oleic trait and past storage variables on sensory attribute stability of roasted peanuts. J. Agric. Food Chem. 50:7366-7370.

22. Wynne, J.C., M.K. Beute, J. Bailey, and R.W. Mozingo. 1991a. Registration of 'NC 10C' peanut. Crop Sci. 31: 484.

23. Wynne, J.C., T.A. Coffelt, R.W. Mozingo, and W.F. Anderson. 1991b. Registration of 'NC-V11' peanut. Crop Sci. 31: 484-485.

24. Wynne, J.C., R.W. Mozingo, and D.A. Emery. 1979. Registration of NC 7 peanut (Reg. No. 22). Crop Sci. 19: 563.

25. Wynne, J.C., R.W. Mozingo, and D.A. Emery. 1986. Registration of 'NC 9' peanut. Crop Sci. 26: 197.

Attachments

Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

NC, VA

Non Land Grant Participating States/Institutions