Conducting variety-type research for the Australian peanut industry

Many bio-physical and market features distinguish peanut varieties but the most crucial issues to consider are market type, time to maturity, disease resistance or susceptibility, and bush shape, which may impact on ease of harvesting.

On this page:

• Types
• Research
• Variety selection
• Peanut variety characteristics

Types

There are three main peanut market types grown in Australia: Virginia, runner and Spanish.

Virginia types are the main type grown in Australian dryland areas. They are long (occasionally medium) season, have a high calcium requirement and are high-yielding in most situations. The larger kernels from the Virginia type are used in the snack-food trade (e.g. beer nuts).

Runner types have a smaller kernel compared to Virginia types and often have a flatter bush. They are long (occasionally medium) season and generally respond well to irrigation. Runner kernels are mainly used for confectionery (e.g. chocolate, muesli bars) and manufacturing (e.g. peanut butter).

Spanish types are quicker to mature and may therefore escape drought. Most have an erect bush and are easier to pull on heavier soils, because the pods cluster tightly around the taproot with strong pegs. They can tolerate slightly more acidic soils than the other types. However, they are not as high-yielding as the Virginia or runner types in good conditions and are more prone to pod splitting when the soil remains wet. Spanish kernels are mainly used for confectionery and manufacturing. Prices are usually not as high as for Virginia or runner types.

Research

The Peanut Company of Australia (PCA) in collaboration with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) conduct a peanut breeding program based in Kingaroy. The aim of the program is to produce new high-yielding varieties suitable for the domestic and export markets. PCA, in conjunction with DEEDI, also introduces overseas varieties for the Australian industry. These and the locally bred varieties now constitute the major varieties grown.

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Variety selection

Before selecting a variety, seek information from different sources, primarily:

• growers and consultants about the agronomic performance of varieties in different seasons
• marketing organisations about the demand and price for particular varieties.

Peanut variety characteristics

Source: PCA Peanut Production Guide, June 2008. This table is a guide only. Please consult your peanut agronomist.

	Maturity (weeks)	Market type	Bush shape	Peg strength	Seed size	Dryland - sthn Qld	High rainfall or irriga- tion - nth Qld	Irrigated - CQ & sthn Qld	Leaf disease susceptible	Soil-borne disease susceptible
Middle- ton	20	V	Semi-erect	Medium	Large	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Maybe; less susceptible to A
Wheeler	20	V	Erect	Medium	Large	Yes	No	Yes	Yes; highly susceptible to NB.	Yes; some tolerance to CBR
Suther- land	21	R	Semi-erect	High	Medium large	No	Consult agrono- mist	Consult agrono- mist	Resistant; LS and rust, tolerant NB.	Susceptible to CBR
Holt	20	R	Semi-prostrate	High	Medium large	Yes; consult agrono- mist	Yes	Yes	Yes	Some resistance to CBR; some tolerance to CBR and WM
Menzies	20	R	Semi-prostrate	High	Medium	Yes; consult agrono- mist	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes; some tolerance to CBR and WM
Ashton	20	V	Erect	Medium	Medium  large	Moderate	Limited availa- bility	Limited availa- bility	Yes	Some drought tolerance; maybe less susceptible to A
S095R	22	R	Semi-prostrate	High	Medium	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes; some tolerance to CBR
Farms- field	20	R	Semi-prostrate	High	Medium	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes, good tolerance to CBR and WM
Walter	16	S	Semi-prostrate	High	Small	Limited availa- bility	Consult agrono- mist	Limited availa- bility	Yes	Yes
Tingoora	16	S	Erect	High	Medium	Limited availa- bility	Consult agrono- mist	Limited availa- bility	Some tolerance to leaf rust. Susceptible to leaf spot and net blotch.	Some tolerance CBR

 

V = Virginia
R = runner
S = Spanish/ultra early
LS = leaf spot
NB = net blotch
CBR = cylindrocladium black rot
WM = white mould
SCL = sclerotinia
A = aflatoxin