Technical Abstract: Close cooperation between conventional plant breeders and molecular geneticists will be needed to efficiently and effectively utilize modern genetic tools in the development of peanut cultivars. We have used this approach to develop molecular markers for resistance to the peanut root-knot nematode and molecular markers for both alleles responsible for high oleic fatty acid content. We are currently utilizing these markers in an accelerated back cross breeding program to develop a high oleic Tifguard. Tifguard, a peanut cultivar released in 2007, has near immunity to root-knot nematode, high resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), and moderate resistance to late leaf spot. However, its oil composition is within the normal O/L range. We hybridized Tifguard with two high oleic cultivars, Georgia 02C and Florida 07. We then used molecular markers to test and select the appropriate F1 plants and used these as parents to develop the first and second backcross generations. This accelerated backcross breeding program with marker assisted selection should result in the development of high oleic Tifguard in 26 months.