Field evaluation of peanut (arachis hypogaea l.) genotypes for drought response using morphophysiological and yield associated traits

Authors: NAIK, YOGESH - New Mexico State University; SANZ-SAEZ, ALVARO - Auburn University; CHEN, CHARLES - Auburn University; Dang, Phat; Pugh, Nicholas; Young, Andrew; Emendack, Yves; PUPPALA, NAVEEN - New Mexico State University

Submitted to: Frontiers in Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2026
Publication Date: 4/17/2026
Citation: Naik, Y., Sanz-Saez, A., Chen, C., Dang, P.M., Pugh, N.A., Young, A.W., Emendack, Y., Puppala, N. 2026. Field evaluation of peanut (arachis hypogaea l.) genotypes for drought response using morphophysiological and yield associated traits. Frontiers in Plant Science. 15(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15081243.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15081243

Interpretive Summary: Peanut production is heavily concentrated in dry regions where limited water availability restricts yield and quality, and climate change has intensified these challenges through irregular rainfall and prolonged drought. To address this, we explored genetic improvement of peanut varieties that can sustain productivity under stress. This study evaluated seven peanut genotypes, including both drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive types, under well-watered and water-stressed conditions across two growing seasons (2024–2025). Measurements included yield-related traits such as pod number, seed weight, and plot yield, as well as physiological traits like stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, and leaf temperature at key growth stages. Results showed that drought stress significantly reduced most traits, with pod yield declining by 44%, seed yield by nearly 40%, and hundred-seed weight by 31%. Stomatal conductance was most affected, dropping by more than 60% during flowering and pod-filling. These findings highlight the severe impact of drought on peanut productivity and emphasize the importance of identifying and breeding drought-tolerant genotypes to ensure resilience in water-limited environments.

Technical Abstract: A large proportion of global peanut cultivation occurs in arid and semiarid environments, where water scarcity poses a major limitation to productivity. Climate change further intensifies this challenge by causing irregular rainfall patterns, while drought stress reduces both yield and product quality. Addressing this challenge will require genetic improvement of peanut varieties to ensure climate resilience and sustained yield, as recent studies have identified genotypes that maintain higher productivity and photosynthetic activity under drought conditions. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the physiological and yield responses of peanut genotypes under water-stressed and well-watered conditions. Seven genotypes were evaluated, including drought-tolerant (C-76, Line-8, PI-502120, AU-NPL-17, and AU-16-28) and drought-sensitive (Val-C and AP-3). Plants were grown under two irrigation regimes over two consecutive years (2024 and 2025). Seven yield-associated traits (number of pods per plant, pod length, pod width, pod yield per plant, seed weight, hundred-seed weight, and pod yield per plot) along with three physiological traits (stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, and leaf temperature) were measured. Physiological traits were assessed at three growth stages: vegetative, flowering, and pod-filling. Drought stress caused a significant reduction in almost all traits, including pod yield per plot (44.08%), seed yield (39.85%), and hundred-seed weight (30.99%). Stomatal conductance shows the highest reduction at all stages, especially during flowering (62.77%) and pod-filling (66.21%).