ARS | Publication request: Content of some nutrients in the core of the core of the peanut germplasm collection

Submitted to: Peanut Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 16, 2008
Publication Date: October 18, 2008
Citation: Dean, L.L., Hendrix, K., Holbrook Jr, C.C., Sanders, T.H. 2008. Content of some nutrients in the core of the core of the peanut germplasm collection. Peanut Science. 36(2):104-120.

Interpretive Summary: The large group of peanut cultivars preserved in the U. S. germplasm collection for peanuts was previously reduced by another group of researchers to a group called the mini core or the “Core of the Core”. They based their selection on plant characteristics such as disease resistance and then took a representative 10% sample. This group was tested by us for amino acids (protein components), fatty acids (fat components), Vitamin E and folate (Vitamin B9). Differences were found in the samples that provide peanut breeders with choices for enhancing or decreasing certain components.

Technical Abstract: The usefulness of core collections of germplasm collections has been well established. The U. S. germplasm collection for peanuts was selectively reduced to a mini core or “Core of the Core” collection composed of 112 of the 7432 accessions in the whole collection to make it more efficient for study. This reduction was based on morphological characteristics. Of these samples, 108 were available from a single location of one growth year. These samples were analyzed for total amino acid content, fatty acid content, tocopherols and folic acid content. From this data, breeders can identify lines that show potential for increases in desired nutrients.