In the last two years, the peanut breeding program at the University of Florida has released seven varieties, with a focus on high-oleic oil chemistry and multiple disease resistance.

The latest release out of Dan Gorbet's program in Florida is AP-3. A sister line to Carver, which was released in 2002, AP-3 combines a very high level of tomato spotted wilt and soil borne disease resistance. Anderson Peanut Company markets the peanut variety. It has strong resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus and white mold, good resistance to cylindracladium black rot (CBR) and decent resistance to rhizoctonia. It's a medium-maturing variety that has shown strong yields in Florida.

Its performance in Georgia TSWV tests prompted its release, Gorbet says. Carver, its sister line, grades better than AP-3.

In 2002, Gorbet released six runner varieties, including early-maturing Andru II and GP-1; medium-maturing ANorden and Carver; late-maturing DP-1 and Hull.

Andru II is a high-oleic variety with good TSWV resistance and some resistance to white mold, Gorbet says.

GP-1 has more of a fit in west Texas than it does in the Southeast, Gorbet says. “It's more of a peanut for areas where you don't have a risk of TSWV.” Both Andru II and GP-1 mature in 125 to 130 days.

ANorden, named for the Florida peanut breeder responsible for the development of Florunner, has resistance comparable to Georgia Green for white mold, leafspot and TSWV.

Carver, a non-high-oleic variety, has resistance to TSWV, white mold and CBR.

Late-maturing Hull is a high-oleic variety with “rather broad multiple disease resistance,” Gorbet says. It has resistance to TSWV, white mold, late leafspot, and some resistance to root knot nematode and CBR. It is a 145-day peanut.

DP-1 is another late-maturing variety. It has strong resistance to TSWV, white mold and late leafspot. It matures in 150 days or more.

Gorbet reports the most success so far with incorporating multiple disease resistance in later-maturing varieties, but he points to AP-3 as a medium-maturing variety with a high level of TSWV and soil borne diseases.

He's currently working to make multiple disease resistance strong in medium-maturing varieties.

“I'm very appreciative of the support of growers and the industry, both at the state levels and the national level for the support of our program,” Gorbet says.

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