EFFECT OF PLANT DENSITY ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF PEANUT (Arachis hypogaea L.) CULTIVARS

Plant density can have a major impact on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield. Information is limited in the Eastern Mediterranean Transition Region of Turkiye on growth, development, and yield of peanut cultivars based on plant density. To address this limitation, the cultivars Aysehanim, Rigel, Halisbey, Masal, and NC 7 were established in a single row planting pattern consisting of rows spaced 70 cm apart with an inter-row plant distance of 15 cm (95.000 plants ha-1) versus a twin row planting pattern consisting of rows spaced 20 cm apart on 90 cm centers with an intra-row distance of 15 cm (148.000 plants ha-1). The interaction of cultivar x plant density was significant for most variables. Irrespective of cultivar, establishing a plant population of 148.000 plants ha-1 in the twin row planting pattern resulted in greater pod yield than the single row planting pattern with a plant density of 95.000 plants ha-1. Pod yield was similar for Rigel, Masal, and NC 7 in the twin row planting pattern and exceeded that of Aysehanim and Halisbey. Conversely, yield of Rigel and Halisbey was similar in the single row pattern and exceeded yield of Aysehanim and NC 7.