Registration of ‘CHAMPS’ Peanut

‘CHAMPS’ (Reg. no. CV-87, PI 641799) is a large-seeded virginia-type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. hypogaea var. hypogaea) cultivar that was jointly released in 2005 by the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and the United States Department ofAgriculture,AgriculturalResearch Service. Itwas evaluated experimentally as VT 9506102–6 in breeder tests, early maturity tests, the Virginia-North Carolina Peanut Variety and Quality Evaluation Program, the Uniform Peanut Performance Tests, and disease management tests. The release of CHAMPSwill offer growers a new cultivar with early maturity, excellent grade characteristics, high yield potential, and reduced susceptibility to Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). CHAMPS was developed from a cross of the breeding line VA 8911215 and the cultivar ‘VA-C 92R’ (Mozingo et al., 1994). The pedigree of VA 8911215 included another virginia breeding line VA 780839P3 ‘Virginia 81Bunch’ (Coffelt et al., 1982). From the CHAMPS cross made in the greenhouse in 1992, an F1 plant was grown in the field in 1993 and hand harvested. All F2 seed from the F1 plant were grown in a single field plot in 1994. The segregating F3 seed from this field plot were planted in a nursery in 1995 from which a single F4 plant selection was made for seed increase. Seed of the F4 single plant selection were planted in a nursery field plot in 1996 to produce the F5. The F5 plants were uniform for growth habit with pink testa color and uniform pod and kernel shape and size; therefore, no further selection was made. Seed have continued to be bulked and selfed to the present F12 generation. Yield trials have been conducted since 1997 (Mozingo, 2003). Plants of CHAMPS have a runner growth habit. Mainstem height of CHAMPS (297 mm) is slightly shorter than ‘NC 7’ (330 mm,P, 0.05) (Wynne et al., 1979) and ‘Wilson’ (322mm, P , 0.05) (Mozingo et al., 2004) equal to ‘NC-V 11’ (297mm, ns) (Wynne et al., 1991) but taller than ‘VA 98R’ (282 mm, P, 0.05) (Mozingo et al., 2000). CHAMPS pod characteristics such as shape, size, and bright color make it ideal for the in-shell trade. Measurements of pod brightness were determined by a colorimeter using Hunter L scores (higher number indicates brighter pod color). CHAMPS has similar scores to VA 98R and Wilson (43.6 vs. 43.4 and 44.4, ns). In other tests, CHAMPS has brighter jumbo (47.0 vs. 45.0, P, 0.01) and fancy (46.5 vs. 45.1, P, 0.01) pod color than NC-V 11 and much brighter color than NC 7 for both the jumbo (47.0 vs. 43.8, P , 0.01) and fancy-sized (46.5 vs. 42.2, P , 0.01) pods. The fancy pod percentage of CHAMPS (83%) is higher than VA 98R (73%, P , 0.01), NC-V 11 (75%, P , 0.01), and Wilson (79%, P , 0.01) but lower than NC 7 (88%, P, 0.01). The 34% extra large kernels (ELK) for CHAMPS is higher than Wilson (30%, P , 0.01), VA 98R (32%, P , 0.01), and NC-V 11 (31%, P , 0.01) but lower than NC 7 (44%, P , 0.01). Total kernel content of CHAMPS averaged approximately 1 to 4% higher (P , 0.05) than other cultivars tested. The blanchability of CHAMPS is equal to popular virginia-type cultivars (Mozingo, 2004). Shelf life, based on lower iodine value and higher oleic/linoleic (O/ L) fatty acid ratio, is not as good as Wilson (95.8 vs. 93.7 iodine value, P, 0.01; 1.75 vs. 2.09 O/L ratio, P, 0.01) or NC 7 (95.8 vs. 92.3 iodine value, P, 0.01; 1.75 vs. 2.25 O/L ratio, P, 0.01) but is better than VA 98R (95.8 vs. 98.1 iodine value, P, 0.01; 1.75 vs. 1.55 O/L ratio, P , 0.01), and NC-V 11 (95.8 vs. 98.6 iodine value, P , 0.01; 1.75 vs. 1.48 O/L ratio, P , 0.01). CHAMPS disease ratings (20 hits 24 m) are similar to Wilson, VA 98R and NC-V 11 (22, 19, and 26 hits 24 m, respectively, ns) in susceptibility to Sclerotinia blight (caused by Sclerotinia minor Jagger). For spotted wilt (caused by TSWV), CHAMPS is equal to NC-V 11 (the most TSWV resistant large-seeded virginia-type cultivar currently available) in susceptibility (6.7 vs. 7.1 plants 24 m of row with symptoms, ns). However, CHAMPS showed less susceptibility than either Wilson (6.7 vs. 9.6 plants 24 m, P , 0.01) or VA 98R (6.7 vs. 9.8 plants 24 m, P , 0.01) to TSWV. Although not selected for resistance to Cylindrocladium black rot (CBR) caused by Cylindrocladium parasiticum Crous, Wingfield, and Alfenas, CHAMPS has tolerance similar to that of Wilson, which is rated as moderately resistant. CHAMPS with 37% infected leaflets is similar to Wilson (44%, ns) but not as susceptible as NC-V 11 (69%, P , 0.01) or VA 98R (81%, P , 0.01) to web blotch caused by Phoma arachidicola Marasas et al. Susceptibility of CHAMPS to other diseases and insects has not been tested. On the basis of general observations, CHAMPS responds to recommended insect and disease control practices as well as other released virginia-type cultivars. CHAMPS matures early and has excellent yield potential when harvested around 140 to 145 d after planting in Virginia (normally around 25 September to 1 October). Five-year (1999–2003 Dig I) average yield was 2.6, 3.1, and 8.1% higher than VA 98R, NC-V 11, and NC 7 when dug during this 140 to 145 d maturity range (Mozingo, 2003). The dollar value per hectare at this digging date was also 4.2, 5.3, and 9.2% higher for CHAMPS. These data reflect the yield potential and higher grades of CHAMPS, which contribute to its higher dollar value compared with other large-seeded virginia-type cultivars. Foundation seed will be produced under the direction of the Virginia Crop Improvement Association Foundation Seed Farm,Mt. Holly, VA 22524. Breeder seed will bemaintained by the Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 6321 Holland Road, Suffolk, VA 23437. Application is being made for Plant Variety Protection for CHAMPS and it may be sold only as a class of certified seed. Small samples of seed for research purposes may be obtained from Corresponding author, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 6321 Holland Rd., Suffolk, VA 23437.