2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Develop virginia- and runner-type peanut cultivars with enhanced sensory quality and improved shelf-life. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Sensory quality of roasted seeds from breeding lines from the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service's peanut breeding program will be evaluated by a sensory panel, and composition of seed components related to flavor and shelf-life will be determined. Substantial natural variation for sensory quality exists within the cultivated peanut species (Arachis hypogaea L.). Genetic control of the intensity of roasted peanut, sweet, and bitter sensory attributes within specific crosses has not been elucidated, but in a quantitative genetic sense, they appear to exhibit substantial non-additive variation, suggesting that occurrence of better tasting variants may be somewhat unpredictable. Data indicates that the genetic component of variation in sensory quality amounts to 10% to 25% of the total, depending on the specific sensory attribute. 3.Progress Report This research relates to in house objective 1: Determine the effect of production location, maturity, curing, seed moisture, composition, processing and relevant interactions to improve flavor and flavor consistency in peanut varieties and breeding lines. Samples from crop year 2010 were evaluated for flavor, sugar, total oil, fatty acids and tocopherols. Data on folate derivatives in some germplasm collection samples were variable and various lines were selected for crosses toward the end result of improved folate concentration in peanuts. Progress was monitored via email, calls and meetings.