Physiosanitary quality of peanut seeds: evaluation of two different digging designs (4 x 1 vs 2 x 1) to speed up the harvesting practice

Abstract

The peanut plants digging and their subsequent permanence in the field is an unavoidable practice in order to facilitate their later harvest. Arming the rows with more furrows would speed up the tasks, however the effect on the physiological and sanitary quality of the seeds obtained has not been studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiosanitary quality of peanut seeds during their permanence in the field, coming from two digging designs. The tests were carried out in the Peanut Module (FCA UNC, Córdoba, Argentina). The experimental design was completely randomized. The treatments were two rows forming one row (2 x 1) and four rows forming one row (4 x 1). Each plot was 100m, with furrows separated 0.70m. The variables evaluated at 0, 7, 14 and 21 days from the digging were: temperature and windrow humidity, seed humidity, germination, health, vigor measured as seedling growth and conductivity. At the end of the cycle (165 days from sowing) the number and weight of pods lost and the state of maturity were determined. Data subjected to analysis of variance (p ≤ 0.05). Between the two evaluated systems, no temperature differences were recorded in the windrow during the stay in the field, without observing changes in germination, or the degree of maturity reached. If higher moisture content was observed in the 4 x 1 design, which caused higher moisture in the seed, lower vigor and higher fungal incidence. In order to reduce harvest losses and obtain better quality peanut seeds, the implementation of the 2 x 1 system is suggested, even when a longer operating time is required.