Commodities: Fieldcrops: Peanuts: 2007 Peanut Update
Saving Peanut Seed and Seed Quality Issues
John P. Beasley, Jr.
With the dramatic changes to the peanut program in 2002, primarily the reduction in price per ton received by the producer, it is very tempting to consider saving seed in order to reduce production costs. Unless a producer has the experience and/or the facilities for saving seed, there is a risk that seed quality will suffer during storage. Listed below are several factors to consider when deciding whether or not to save seed.
Legal Issues
Most peanut varieties produced and sold in Georgia have one or more forms of legal protection limiting or preventing producers from saving and using their own seed. There are two different types of legal protection for seed. The first is PVP seed, which are protected under the USDA=s Plant Variety Protection Act of 1970. It was amended in 1994 and states that seed of a variety may not be sold, marketed, offered for sale, delivered, consigned, or exchanged without the explicit consent of the owner of the variety. It is illegal to condition (shell) the variety for the purpose of propagation. A producer may save seed for the sole purpose of planting his holdings. A producer may NOT save seed to plant more acres than the acres from which the saved seed were produced. The following runner varieties available in Georgia are PVP protected and would be subject to all laws pertaining to variety protection:
Georgia Green, C-99R, AP-3, Georgia-03L, AT 3081R, Carver, Georgia-01R, and ViruGard.
The other legal issue is for seed of varieties protected by a US Utility Patent issued by the United States Patent and Trademark office. Seed from any variety protected by a patent may NOT be saved for planting. There is NO farmer exception. The only legal provision for peanut seed production of varieties covered by a patent is by a licensing agreement with the patent owner. It is ILLEGAL to condition (shell) a patent protected variety for the purpose of propagation. The following are patent protected varieties and would be covered by all laws pertaining to patent protection:
Andru II, ANorden, Hull, Georgia-02C, and AT 3085A.
The bottom line is that almost all of the peanut varieties available for producers in Georgia in 2007 are protected by one of the two laws. Therefore, a producer must be aware of any and all legal ramifications before saving seed.
Quality Concerns
Another concern in saving seed is the quality issue. Producers that have grown peanuts for seed in the past are well aware of the additional production practices that are needed to ensure high quality seed. These producers work through the Georgia Crop Improvement Association (certified and registered seed) and the Georgia Seed Development Commission (foundation seed) for quality and purity assurance. All contracts between seed handlers and producers have requirements regarding rotation restrictions, irrigation requirements, and calcium nutrition. In order to produce high quality seed and ensure high germination, irrigation is needed in order to provide water during critical pod development and pod fill stages. Timely irrigation is essential to producing high quality seed. Available water is needed in the pod zone to move calcium into the seed. Research has shown that additional calcium is needed to increase percent germination. A calcium deficiency can result in a condition known as Ablack heart@, which is when the embryo of the seed is deteriorated or dead. A seed that has Ablack heart@ will not germinate. Our University of Georgia recommendation for seed production is that 320 to 400 pounds of elemental calcium, or about one ton per acre of gypsum (landplaster) be applied at early bloom. Boron is very critical to seed quality as well and it is recommended that 2 pound of boron be applied per acre. Seed quality can also be greatly affected by disease and insect damage. Poor disease control during the season can compromise seed integrity. When the hull is weakened due to lack of calcium, it is much more prone to soil pathogens. Insects can cause damage during the season and during storage. Soil insects, such as lesser cornstalk borer, southern corn rootworm, and wireworm, can damage pods and kernels, thus lowering germination.
If a producer does not have the facilities in which to store the seed so as to inhibit insect infestation, then damage during storage can be severe and greatly reduce germination. Most producers that are considering saving seed are storing those peanuts in trailers under a shed and covered with a tarp. Keep in mind that field harvested peanuts vary greatly in size and seed that are not properly conditioned (sized and shelled) will have tremendous variation in kernel size and maturity.
Temperature and humidity during storage are major factors. Seed need to be stored in a cool, dry place. Temperature fluctuations can result in increased moisture content for peanuts covered with a tarp. Increased moisture could trigger pre-mature germination. Fluctuations in humidity, especially increases, can greatly reduce germination potential. Seed must be stored under a controlled climate in order to ensure high quality. A very high percentage of producers DO NOT have the facilities in which to properly store seed.
Seed Handling and Conditioning
In addition to on-farm storage concerns, a producer who is considering saving seed must be aware of the handling procedures for preparing seed for planting. As mentioned above, field harvested peanuts vary greatly in size. There could also be a lot of foreign material in farmer stock peanuts. When a producer decides to save their own seed they also have to consider the cost incurred for cleaning, shelling, sizing, treating, and bagging. Many times, this cost will offset any potential savings the producer may think they=re gaining. A reputable seed handler/conditioner should be used to maintain the integrity of the seed.
Always purchase Foundation, registered, or certified seed as these seed are stored and conditioned under close supervision and have been inspected as to variety purity and freedom from noxious weeds.
High quality peanut seed is no accident and requires many management inputs to ensure good germination and vigor. Land selection, soil fertility (calcium and boron), weed management and the absence of severe moisture stress contribute to seed quality. Again, it is advised to purchase certified seed due to the strict requirements and guarantees placed on them.
Poor quality seed may be a result of: improper curing, storage at moisture levels above 10%, immaturity (highly shriveled), insect damage, many splits, seed size and low calcium (dark plumule) or boron (hollow heart).
These factors indicate that seed harvesting, handling, and storage are critical for producing high quality seed. Sparse stands, low germination and seedling survival lead to management problems throughout the growing season. Anyone considering saving seed should contact a seed conditioner immediately and pull a preliminary germination test. If germinations do not meet minimum standards, then it would be best to market hose peanuts before shelling and treating.
Research in Alabama shows that the minimum seed calcium needed for maximum germination is 282 parts per million. The minimum needed for maximum seedling survival is 309 parts per million. A higher level of available soil calcium is needed for maximum seed quality than is needed for maximum yield or Sound Mature Kernels (SMK).
Management Tips for Seed
- Never over-dry peanuts - (avoid high temperatures).
- Clean peanuts before drying or storing
- Store peanuts before shelling on wagons under an open shelter. Avoid heat buildup.
- Monitor insects at least twice a month before shelling. Treat as necessary.
- Have a germination test conducted by an approved laboratory prior to shelling.
- Always use an approved seed treatment after shelling.
- Peanut seed are one of the most delicate in commerce and subject to mechanical and handling damage. Avoid rough handling of peanut seed.
Physical Properties of Peanuts
a. Pounds/cubic foot
1. Farmer=s stock (in shell).................................19.9
2. Kernels ...........................................................39.9
b. Cubic feet required to store 1 ton
1. In-shell .........................................................100.5
2. Shelled .......................................................... 50.1c. Average kernel count/pound ..................................... 750
Other Factors In-Shell Peanuts
1 bushel = 2150.4 cu. inches
1 cubic foot = 1728 cu. inches
1 cubic foot = .8035 bu
1 bushel = 1.244 cu. feet
Runner 19 lbs/cu. Ft dry
Runners at 50% moisture = 34.2 lbs/cu. Ft.
1.244 X 19.9 = 24.8 dry wt/bu
1.244 X 34.2 = 42.5 @ 50%moisture/bu
Weight/bu at 10% moisture
Virginias 23 lbs
Spanish 32 lbs
Runner 27-28 lbs
To adjust weights for other moistures, use the following equation:
Shrinkage Equation
Initial Weight x 100 - Initial % Moisture = Final Weight
100 - Final % Moisture