Effect of Varying Storage Environments and Planting Conditions on Seedling Emergence of Peanut.

Obtaining adequate peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plant stands depends on select criteria, such as seed with high germination percentage and vigor, and soil moisture and temperature at planting. Unfavorable temperature and relative humidity (RH) conditions in storage or after planting can result in loss of germination and vigor of seeds over time. The primary objective of this study was to determine if varying environmental conditions during seed storage affects germination and seedling emergence. A second objective was to evaluate the effect of two temperature regimes on germination and seedling emergence. Three storages were analyzed in this experiment. Two storages consisted of extreme diurnal fluctuations in temperature (12-46 °C) and RH (33-85%). These storages were compared to a consistent temperature (18-27 °C) and RH (42-54%) environment. Georgia-06G seeds were held in each storage for 72 days. Seeds were then removed from each storage and transferred to a cold room until planting. Seeds were planted in pots in two different growth chambers, with five replications within each treatment. To simulate non-optimal and optimal planting conditions, temperatures of 18 to 24 °C and 21 to 29 °C were established as the two temperature regimes. Seedling emergence was recorded daily from 5 to 18 days after planting (DAP). Temperature regime from 5 to 9 DAP significantly affected seedling emergence, with greater emergence in pots grown under 21 to 29 °C. Emergence was affected by temperature and storage from 10 to 12 DAP, with improved emergence in pots grown under 21-29 °C as well as seeds stored at 18-27 °C and 42-54% RH. Storage affected emergence from 13 to 18 DAP, with better emergence in seeds stored under 18-27 °C and 42-54% RH. This study suggests that storages with varying environmental conditions as well as seeds planted in non-optimal temperature conditions negatively affected emergence rate.