Growth Regulator Effects on the Market Quality of Five Virginia-Type Peanut Cultivars1

Abstract The growth regulator succinic acid 2, 2-dimethylhydrazide (SADH) was applied to the foliage of five virginia-type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars in 1980, 1981, and 1982 in Martin County, North Carolina, and Suffolk, Virginia. Treated and untreated peanuts at each location were harvested on two dates each year. Market grade, yield, and value/ha evaluations were made on the cultivars Florigiant, NC 6, NC 7, VA 81B, and NC 8C. Yield and value/ha within each cultivar were statistically different across years and locations. The growth regulator significantly reduced the percentage of fancy pods for all cultivars except VA 81B while significantly increasing the percentage of extra large kernels for all cultivars except NC 8C. The percentage of total kernels was not affected with Florigiant or NC 7, but significant reductions were observed with growth regulator application to NC 6, VA 81B, and NC 8C. The yield and value/ha of Florigiant and NC 6 increased significantly with growth regulator appl...