CLOVIS, NEW MEXICO (AP) -- New Mexico peanut researchers want to develop varieties that will resist disease, be more drought tolerant, mature earlier and produce nuts with a long shelf life.
Naveen Puppala of the New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center at Clovis says he's conducted field trials for several peanut varieties.
Puppala tells the Clovis News-Journal that Valencia peanuts have genetic potential for drought resistance. He hopes to develop a variety of peanuts that will produce a crop with less water, even if the yield is lower.
He says water is the largest concern nowadays.
Puppala says he's focusing peanut breeding in four areas - resistance to disease and fungus, early maturity early to compensate for eastern New Mexico's short growing season, drought tolerance and high oleic traits, which increase peanut shelf life.
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Information from: Clovis News Journal, http://www.cnjonline.com
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