University of Georgia
UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
Menu
Close
Search

Research at Work: Peanuts

About 90 percent of Georgia-grown runner peanuts are made into peanut butter each year. The disease- and pest-resistant peanuts developed at the University of Georgia help farmers boost yields while maintaining quality. Over 70 percent of peanuts produced in the U.S. are UGA varieties. Our research helps the food industry turn Georgia crops into the nutritious and safe products you use every day, like peanut butter.

 


Ideal varieties boost production 

Sustainability of the Georgia peanut crop depends largely on the consistency of a variety to produce across many different micro climates throughout Georgia. Currently 95 percent of the peanut acres grown in Georgia are in Georgia-06G due to its ability to maximize yield and grade in a majority of the growing regions. Unfortunately, growing one variety across a majority of the acres is not a sustainable practice as diseases can overcome some disease resistance traits of a select variety.

Statewide Peanut Variety trials conducted by UGA scientists provide growers with the disease resistance traits, growth and vigor characteristics, and yield and grade potential of all commercially available peanut runner varieties. Data from these trails provide growers with the needed information about the performance of a select variety in a select region as well as across the state. Results and recommendations are provided to UGA Extension agents in each county who educate growers on which varieties perform best. Using superior tested varieties resulted in an increase of nearly $78 million in income from peanuts.

 


Peanut News

Helenedamage web CAES News
Hurricane Helene: Preliminary damage assessment on Georgia agriculture and forestry industry
Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, in coordination with Governor Brian P. Kemp, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), and the Georgia Forestry Commission, announced the preliminary estimate of Hurricane Helene’s economic impact on Georgia agriculture is $6.46 billion.
Nino Brown stands in front of a peanut field holding up a red net bag of harvested peanuts above his head as he speaks to participants in the Georgia Peanut Tour in 2022. CAES News
CAES experts study oil production to boost Georgia’s peanut power
A new study by experts in the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is seeking to increase the value of Georgia’s peanut crops for new markets while reducing losses caused by aflatoxin, a consistent threat to the No. 1 peanut-producing state in the United States. The four-year, $490,000 grant will take a systems-based approach toward developing high-oil peanut varieties bred to withstand the unique climate and pest pressures of the Southeast.
See More News