Priorities and Plans for the Curation of the USDA National Germplasm System Peanut Collection.

The USDA National Plant Germplasm System peanut collection consists of 9,166 accessions of the cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and 611 accessions of wild Arachis species. The collection is maintained by the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit (PGRCU) located on the University of Georgia-Griffin Campus.  The primary goal of the collection is to preserve, maintain and distribute the genetic resources to researchers and for other educational purposes.  The collection is maintained at -18 C with a distribution sample kept at 4 C and 25% RH.  Regular regenerations are necessary to replenish fresh seeds to maintain seed quality and quantity.  Annually, about 1000 accessions of A. hypogaea are regenerated under field conditions.  These accessions are chosen based on low seed quantity, low germination percentage and extended length of time in storage between regenerations.  In 2016, 963 A. hypogaea accessions which are unavailable for distribution mainly because of low seed quantity, were selected for regeneration.  Of these, 378 accessions were planted at the USDA Southeastern Fruit and Nut Research Station Farm in Byron, GA, and 325 accessions were sent to cooperators in FL, NM, OK and TX for regenerations.  The remaining 260 accessions were planted in the greenhouses in Griffin.  Additionally, seeds of 58 wild species from the original and/or the oldest inventories were planted in the greenhouses to recover fresh seeds for future field regenerations.  Further, phenotypic characterizations of A. hypogaea and wild Arachis species is also continued in 2016.