Peanut seed treatment with hot water (50 C for 20 min.) or hot aqueous solutions of Ca(OH)2 were found to stimulate the rate of peanut germination and increase final stand counts in laboratory and greenhouse trials. In field germination trials, seed soaked in hot Ca(OH)2 solutions and dried, were found to perform almost as well as seed treated with commercial fungicides. It is theorized that the soaking process may remove chemicals responsible for seed dormancy, and initiate germination processes, giving seed soaked in hot water a more rapid emergence. The rapid rate of emergence can lead to seedling escape from disease, which is assisted by the antifungal properties of Ca(OH)2.

Groundnut, Arachis hypogaea, seed dormancy, seed protectant
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Author notes

1Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. Journal Series No. 6-810014.

2Botany, Plant Pathology, and Microbiology Department, Auburn University, Alabama 36849.

4Supported in part by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association and grant no. AID/CR 701-15-18.

American Peanut Research and Education Society
1981
American Peanut Research and Education Society