Effect of Season on Oil Quality of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) Varieties

The oil quality of groundnut varieties from different habit groups under different seasons was examined during kharif and summer seasons. Results revealed that the oil content was higher in summer season than in kharif season in all the four habit groups whereas the mean Iodine value of Spanish bunch type and Virginia runner was lesser and that of Virginia bunch and Valencia group was marginally higher in summer season. Fatty acid composition of oil was greatly influenced by seasons as palmitic and oleic acids increased considerably, while linoleic acid decreased to a great extent in summer season. Oil stability index was higher in summer than in kharif season.