Abstract
Two virginia-type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars, NC 6 and NC 7, were observed to germinate slowly under field conditions. Three seed treatments (1%, 5%, and 10%) of ethrel, cis-N-((1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethyl)thio)4-cyclo-hexene-1,2-dicarboximide, were prepared with a recommended seed treatment (45% Difolitan and 25% PCNB) and dusted on the seed. The experimental design was a 2 (cultivars) × 4 (3 ethrel treatments and an untreated check) factorial in a randomized complete block with four replications. The experiment was conducted for 2 years (1980 & 1981) at two locations (Suffolk, VA, and Beltsville, MD). Factors studied were: Stand counts (10 and 14 days after planting), plant dry weight (18 and 42 days after planting), pod yield, grams/100 seed, and percentages of meat, total sound mature kernels, extra large kernels, and fancy pods. No significant differences were found among ethrel treatments for any factor, except stand counts. Plots planted with ethrel-treated seed had significantly higher stand counts at 10 and 14 days than plots not planted with ethrel-treated seed. Significant differences occurred between locations for all factors, and between years for all factors, except stand counts at 14 days and grams/100 seed. Significant differences occurred between cultivars for all factors, except plant dry weight at 18 days, pod yield, and percentage of fancy pods. These results indicate that, while stands may be improved with ethrel-treated seed, no significant effects on yield or grade factors were found.
Author notes
1Contribution from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Suffolk, Virginia 23437, and Beltsville, Maryland 20705, and the Tidewater Research Center, Research Division, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061. Mention of a specific commercial cultivar or chemical product does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.