University of Georgia
UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
Menu
Close
Search

Research at Work: Peanuts

About 90 percent of Georgia-grown runner peanuts are made into peanut butter each year. The disease- and pest-resistant peanuts developed at the University of Georgia help farmers boost yields while maintaining quality. Over 70 percent of peanuts produced in the U.S. are UGA varieties. Our research helps the food industry turn Georgia crops into the nutritious and safe products you use every day, like peanut butter.

 


Ideal varieties boost production 

Sustainability of the Georgia peanut crop depends largely on the consistency of a variety to produce across many different micro climates throughout Georgia. Currently 95 percent of the peanut acres grown in Georgia are in Georgia-06G due to its ability to maximize yield and grade in a majority of the growing regions. Unfortunately, growing one variety across a majority of the acres is not a sustainable practice as diseases can overcome some disease resistance traits of a select variety.

Statewide Peanut Variety trials conducted by UGA scientists provide growers with the disease resistance traits, growth and vigor characteristics, and yield and grade potential of all commercially available peanut runner varieties. Data from these trails provide growers with the needed information about the performance of a select variety in a select region as well as across the state. Results and recommendations are provided to UGA Extension agents in each county who educate growers on which varieties perform best. Using superior tested varieties resulted in an increase of nearly $78 million in income from peanuts.

 


Peanut News

Danielle Ama Essandoh, a Ghanaian student studying at Makerere University, works in a greenhouse on a research project in Uganda led by UGA’s Soraya Leal-Bertioli in 2021. Essandoh completed a master’s degree and is now working toward a doctorate at UGA. (Submitted photo) CAES News
Peanut Innovation Lab receives $15 million
Farmers around the world grow peanuts because the plant adapts to poor soils and produces a crop even as droughts become more common. Smallholder farmers around the world grow the crop on modest plots and cook the nuts into traditional dishes or sell the crop for money to send their kids to school. On April 12, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the University of Georgia announced a five-year extension of their collaborative research and outreach work in peanut innovation.
UGA Extension selected Bart Davis of Davis Family Farms in Doerun, Georgia, as the 2023 Georgia Farmer of the Year. (Photo courtesy of the Georgia Peanut Commission) CAES News
Bart Davis named 2023 Georgia Farmer of the Year
Bart Davis doesn’t seek out accolades or praise, but through an impressive dedication to his farm and the industry, honor found him at this year's Georgia Ag Forecast presentation, where he was recognized as 2023 Georgia Farmer of the Year.
See More News