Agronomic evaluation of Arachis pintoi (Krap. and Greg.) germplasm in Florida

Arachis pintoi germplasm displayed great variability with respect to adaptation, dry matter yield, nutritive value, seed production, and nematode reaction. Average forage dry matter yield (FDMY) during the year 2003 was 4.35 Mg/ ha, and ranged from zero to 9.10 Mg/ha. Crude protein andin vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) were high and confirmed the fact that A. pintoi has excellent nutritive value. Average CP was 180 g/kg of DM and ranged from 130 to 220 g/kg of DM. IVOMD averaged 670 g/kg of DM and ranged from 600 to 730 g/kg of DM. Some accessions produced high seed yields reaching values above 1 Mg/ha, 18 and 30 months after sowing. The average seed production was 0.32 Mg/ha in 2003, and 0.43 Mg/ha in 2004. Overall, accessions PI 604817, 497574, 604815, 604810, 604808, and 604857 were the best adapted to the north central Florida environment and with the best agronomic characteristics. This research strength that general conclusions about the adaptation and agronomic value of a species to a particular environment should not be based on a single or a few germplasm lines.