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Effect of Full and Restricted Sun Exposure on Curing Peanuts 1
Author(s) -
Mixon Aubrey C.,
Mott Paul A.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1969.00021962006100050026x
Subject(s) - germination , arachis hypogaea , moisture , horticulture , arachis , agronomy , relative humidity , water content , biology , humidity , chemistry , meteorology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering , physics
Green peanut pods considered to be at optimum maturity from peanut plants, Arachis hypogaea L. ‘Early Runner,’ were exposed to available and restricted sunlight until dried to 20, 15, 12, 9, or 7% seed moisture. Samples removed from sun exposures with seed moisture higher than 7% were dried to 7% average seed moisture in ambient‐air forced‐draft drying bins. Treatments were stored in closed containers at 75% relative humidity for 3 months before processing. The full‐sun exposure treatment reduced germination of sound mature seed 1 year, and germination of sound immature seed all 3 years compared with restricted (50%) sun exposure. Exposure of pods to full sunlight reduced promptness with which both mature and immature seed germinated in a 25 C germinator. Greatest reduction in promptness of germination and total germination occurred in immature seed from the fully exposed pods. Each year the percentage of seed breakage upon shelling was greater for peanuts in available sun than for those in restricted sun treatments. In 2 out of 3 years, drying peanuts to 9 or 7% seed moisture, in available sun, resulted in a less desirable flavor of roasted ground, mature seed than of those dried to 20% moisture in full sun and then dried to 7% moisture in ambient air.