Improved varieties, probably more than any single research effort, will ultimately benefit the entire peanut industry.

State, federal and private peanut breeding programs are actively involved in the development of improved varieties with desirable traits for increasing dollar value, yield, grade, disease resistance, insect resistance, virus resistance, nematode resistance, aflatoxin resistance, drought tolerance, better shelling characteristics, longer shelf life, and enhanced flavor and nutrition, says Bill Branch, University of Georgia peanut breeder.

The following peanut varieties will be available for planting this year or in future production seasons. Check with you seed supplier for availability:

Georgia-06G is a high-yielding, tomato spotted virus (TSWV)-resistant, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2006. It has a high level of resistance to TSWV. In multi-location tests conducted in Georgia during the past several years, Georgia-06G was likewise found to be among the lowest in TSWV disease incidence and highest in yield, grade and dollar value return per acre compared to all of the other runner-types. Georgia-06G is a large-seeded runner-type variety with growth habit and medium maturity similar to Georgia Green.

Georgia Greener is a high-yielding, TSWV-resistant, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2006. It has a high level of resistance to TSWV and CBR resistance. In multi-location tests conducted in Georgia during the past several years, Georgia Greener was found to be among the lowest in TSWV disease incidence and highest in yield, grade and dollar value return per acre compared to all of the other runner types. Georgia Greener is more of a regular runner-type seed size variety with growth habit and medium maturity similar to Georgia Green.

Georgia-07W is a high-yielding, TSWV-resistant, white mold-resistant, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2007. It has a high level of resistance to both TSWV and white mold or stem rot. In multi-location tests conducted in Georgia during the past several years, Georgia-07W was found to be among the lowest in TSWV incidence and total disease incidence, highest in yield, grade and dollar value return per acre. Georgia-07W is a large-seeded runner-type variety with a runner growth habit and medium maturity. It also has very good stability and a wide-range of adaptability.

Georgia-09B is a high-yielding, high-oleic, TSWV-resistant, medium-seeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2009. Georgia-09B originated from the first backcross made with Georgia Green as the recurrent parent. During past years averaged over several multi-location tests in Georgia, Georgia-09B had significantly less TSWV disease incidence, higher yield and percent TSMK grade, larger seed size, and greater dollar value return per acre compared to Georgia Green. Georgia-09B has also showed significantly higher TSMK grade percentage than Florida-07 and higher dollar value. It was also found to have a medium runner seed size as compared to the larger high-oleic, runner-type variety, Florida-07.

Georgia-10T is a high-yielding, TSWV-resistant, large-seeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations in 2010. During three-years averaged over multi-location tests in Georgia, Georgia-10T had significantly less mid-season TSWV incidence and late-season total disease (TD) incidence, higher yield, grade and dollar value return per acre compared to Georgia-01R. However, Georgia-10T is most similar to Georgia-01R in later maturity. During the past few years at multi-locations in Georgia when planted early (mid-April) to increase TSWV disease pressure, Georgia-10T was again found to be among the lowest in TSWV incidence and TD incidence, highest in pod yield, highest in

TSMK grade, and highest in dollar value return per acre compared to many other runner-type varieties. Georgia-10T should be an excellent variety for an earlier planting option in the Southeast.

Georgia-12Y is high-yielding, TSWV-resistant and white mold-resistant, medium-seeded, runner-type variety that was released by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations in 2012. During three years averaged over multi-location tests in Georgia, Georgia-12Y had significantly higher yield, dollar value return per acre, and number of seed per pound compared to Georgia-10T. However, Georgia-10T has a higher TSMK grade than Georgia-12Y. Georgia- 12Y is most similar to Georgia-10T in later maturity. Both should be excellent varieties for an early planting date option in the Southeast U.S. peanut production area.

Several cultivars now with high-oleic chemistry

Georgia-13M is a high-yielding, high-oleic, TSWV-resistant, small-seeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station in 2013. During three years averaged over multiple location tests in Georgia, Georgia-13M had significantly less total disease incidence and greater dollar value return per acre compared to four other high-oleic, runner-type varieties. Georgia-13M was also found to have a smaller runner seed size as compared to these larger high-oleic, runner-type check varieties: Florida-07, FloRun ‘107’,

Georgia-09B and Georgia-02C. Georgia-13M combines high-yield and TSWV resistance with the excellent roasted flavor of Georgia Green and the high-oleic trait for longer shelf-life and improved oil quality of peanut and peanut products.

Georgia-14N is a new high-yielding, high-oleic, TSWV-resistant, RKN-resistant, small-seeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station in 2014. During three-years averaged over multiple location tests in Georgia, Georgia-14N had significantly less TSWV and total disease incidence, higher yield, grade and dollar value return per acre compared to Tifguard. Georgia-14N was also found to have a smaller runner seed size as compared to the larger runner-type check cultivar, Tifguard. Georgia-14N combines high-yield, TSWV-resistance and RKN-resistance with smaller seed size and the high-oleic trait for longer shelf-life and improved oil quality of peanut and peanut products.

 Florida-07, a medium-to-late runner market-type peanut, was released from The University of Florida in 2006. It has shown excellent yield potential with good grades. Seed are larger and, for this reason, gypsum is recommended for additional calcium. It has good-to-excellent resistance to TSWV, some white mold resistance, and tolerance to leaf spot. Florida-07 has high-oleic oil chemistry with good-to-excellent roasting, blanching and processing characteristics.

FloRun ‘107’ is a medium maturity (135 to 140 days) runner-type variety released by the University of Florida in 2010. The seed size of FloRun ‘107’ is similar to Georgia Greener, and it produces a high percentage of medium kernels in the grading process. The variety has demonstrated very good yields and grades with good resistance to spotted wilt (TSWV) and moderate resistance to white mold. FloRun ‘107’ has high-oleic oil chemistry.

TUFRunner ‘511’ was released by the University of Florida in July 2013. TUFRunner ‘511’ is a large-seeded, medium-maturity runner-type peanut with high-oleic oil chemistry. It has very good resistance to white mold and moderate resistance to TSWV. Yield and grade of this peanut have been excellent. The seed size is similar to Georgia- 06G with a similar outturn of medium, No. 1 and jumbo kernels. The growth habit of TUFRunner ‘511’ is prostrate with a good center stem. Seed supply will be limited in 2015.

TUFRunner ‘727’ is a medium to medium-late maturing (135 to 145 days), high-oleic, runner-type peanut cultivar with very good resistance to white mold, resistance to TSWV, and some resistance to late leaf spot. It has a prostrate, runner growth habit with large vines and large runner seed size. Yield and grade of TUFRunner ‘727’ have been excellent. The prefix “TUF” is an acronym for The University of Florida.

TUFRunner ‘297’ is an extra-large seeded runner-type peanut with high-oleic oil chemistry developed by The University of Florida and released in 2014. It has demonstrated very good resistance to white mold, good resistance to TSWV, and is susceptible to leaf spots. Yield and grade have been excellent. It has a prominent center stem with a semi-prostrate growth habit. Seed supply will be limited in 2015.