Testing Heat and Drought Tolerance In Different Peanut Genotypes Commonly Planted In the Southeastern United States

Samantha Larson

Abstract

Peanut farmers in the south are having increasing trouble maintaining their crop yield because of the drought and heat conditions of the area. These conditions are only worsening with time, so it is important to determine the peanut genotype that best withstands the steadily increasing heat and decreasing rainfall. The experiment determined the best southern cultivar to be planted in the changing environment. We planted four subdivided blocks of peanuts; each containing six genotypes (Suggs, Bailey, Tifguard, Wynne, Georgia 12Y, and Phillips). Two of the plots were experimental plots, simulating heat and drought conditions. The other two served as a control. When the peanuts flowered, we put shelters over the experimental plots for the simulation. After the peanuts were fully grown, the resiliency was primarily measured by the lipidome, which identifies the lipid molecular species that are present in tolerant plants. The genotypes that have these lipids present are more likely to survive, as they make the plant more resilient to drought conditions. In the end, we expected less growth or less living plants for the genotypes that are not as impervious in heat and drought stresses with these data supported by the presence of our focal lipid molecular species. These results will be obtained following peanut harvest, which occurs mid-autumn. Ideally, there is a genotype that is superior to its peers and farmers can use that genotype to farm peanuts in the affected areas.

 
Mar 30th, 12:00 PM

Testing Heat and Drought Tolerance In Different Peanut Genotypes Commonly Planted In the Southeastern United States

Founders Hall 111 B

Peanut farmers in the south are having increasing trouble maintaining their crop yield because of the drought and heat conditions of the area. These conditions are only worsening with time, so it is important to determine the peanut genotype that best withstands the steadily increasing heat and decreasing rainfall. The experiment determined the best southern cultivar to be planted in the changing environment. We planted four subdivided blocks of peanuts; each containing six genotypes (Suggs, Bailey, Tifguard, Wynne, Georgia 12Y, and Phillips). Two of the plots were experimental plots, simulating heat and drought conditions. The other two served as a control. When the peanuts flowered, we put shelters over the experimental plots for the simulation. After the peanuts were fully grown, the resiliency was primarily measured by the lipidome, which identifies the lipid molecular species that are present in tolerant plants. The genotypes that have these lipids present are more likely to survive, as they make the plant more resilient to drought conditions. In the end, we expected less growth or less living plants for the genotypes that are not as impervious in heat and drought stresses with these data supported by the presence of our focal lipid molecular species. These results will be obtained following peanut harvest, which occurs mid-autumn. Ideally, there is a genotype that is superior to its peers and farmers can use that genotype to farm peanuts in the affected areas.