A Non-Destructive Method for Determining Peanut Pod Maturity

Abstract

A method of classification based on color and morphological differences of the mesocarp is described for determining the developmental stages of fresh peanut [Arachis hypogaea (L) ‘Flo-runner’] pods. Developmental stages are designated as Classes 1-7, with each subsequently numbered class representing progressively greater degrees of maturity. For illustration each class is subdivided into one-quarter increments which are represented pictorially by beginning points. Because various combinations of classes and/or subclasses can be used, the system has inherent flexibility to accomodate the degree of refinement dictated by classification needs. Maturity determination by this method requires removal of a portion of the exocarp or epidermis to expose the pod mesocarp. The exocarp can be removed by sand blasting, gentle abrasion, or lightly scraping with a knife. Because removal of the exocarp is non-destructive to the remaining pod structure and enclosed seeds, the method has inherent advantages for use in commercial culture and in biological investigations requiring intact pods and/or seed.

Characterization of small RNA populations in non-transgenic and aflatoxin-reducing-transformed peanut

“…Peanut line 288-9 went through the process of transformation but did not carry the RNAi-5X insert or the selectable marker neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII), and was used as a control. The hull-scrape method [29] was used to determine maturity stages of pods, and first-generation immature and mature seed (T 0 seed) harvested from transformed plants and control plants, were used for RNA extractions and challenging experiments.…”

Temperature and Moisture Conditions That Affect Aflatoxin Contamination of Peanuts

“…Peanuts were inverted at optimal maturity, based on hull-scrape (Williams and Drexler, 1981), for each planting date (Table 1). Three to 5 d following inversion, pods were harvested from individual plots and yield per plot recorded.…”

Colonization of wounded peanut seeds by soil fungi: selectivity for species fromAspergillussectionFlavi

“…Peanut plants were dug from fields on 18 Oct 2000 (7.9 km northeast of Cuthbert, Randolph County, Georgia), 13 Sep 2001 (5.4 km southwest of Dawson, Terrell County), and 8 Sep 2002 and 11 Sep 2003 (2.1 km north of Sasser, Terrell County) with a digger-inverter, and pods immediately were hand picked. Fresh pods were abraded with a wet-impact blaster to expose the inner pericarp wall, then color sorted according to maturity (Williams andDrexler 1981, Williams andMonroe 1986). Mature pods (black and brown maturity classes) were removed and dried 14 d at ambient temperature on a forced-air drier.…”