Effect of water stress on yield and agronomic characters of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract Vorasoot, N., Songsri, P., Akkasaeng, C., Jogloy, S. and Patanothai, A. Effect of water stress on yield and agronomic characters of peanut Songklanakarin J. Sci. Technol., 2003, 25(3) : 283-288 Peanut production in Thailand is concentrated in upland area under rain-fed conditions. Unpredict-able time and the extent of water deficit occurs every year and causes a reduction in yield and quality. Underthese conditions the use of cultivars tolerant to drought and producing high yield should be advantageous.The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of water stress on yield and agronomic characters ofpeanut cultivars. A glasshouse experiment was conducted for evaluation of 4 peanut cultivars, Tainan 9,Khon Kaen 60-3, ICGV 98308 and ICGV 98324, under three regimes of water (field capacity, 1 / 2 availablewater and 1 / 4 available water) in earthen pots. A 4 ××× 3 factorial experiment in randomized complete blockdesign with 4 replications was conducted. Total dry weight, pod yield, seed yield, 100 seed weight and shellingpercentage were determined at the final harvest. At field capacity, all peanut cultivars performed well. Yieldand agronomic characters of all cultivars were decreased under water stress; and significant response ofgenotypes was observed. Khon Kaen 60-3 and ICGV 98308 were more sensitive to water stress, comparingwith Tainan 9 and ICGV 98324.