Yield and Fatty Acid Composition of Nine Groundnut Cultivars Under Irrigation

Abstract

Seven groundnut cultivars were introduced from the United States and grown in the Gezira Research Station with two adapted cultivars. In the first year of the study, the seven introduced cultivars produced lower yield than those planted for a long time in the Sudan. However, after three years, they became adapted to the new environment. Oil content varied from 49% to 58% depending on the groundnut type. The Spanish type had more oil content than the Virginia types. The protein content varied from 24% to 27%, and the iodine value ranged between 87 and 99. Oleic, linoleic and palmitic comprised about 90% of the fatty acids, with more of oleic acid (49%) than linoleic acid (30%) and palmitic acid (11%). Oleic and linoleic acids were negatively correlated (r=0.969). The cultivars varied in their fatty acid composition, and Florigiant planted in the Sudan contained less oleic than linoleic and vice-versa for Florigiant grown in the U.S.A. The groundnut cultivars planted in the Sudan had better keeping quality than those planted in temperate environment.