Forage quality and minerals of organic peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) above ground biomass

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are harvested for human consumption but can be used as forage for livestock as well. Peanut hay has high organic matter digestibility and is rich in crude protein while fitting well into the growing need for organic forage. Little work has been conducted to evaluate the forage quality of cultivated peanuts, but none involve organic production systems. This study focused on determining the forage quality and mineral composition of organically produced peanuts. A total of 19 breeding lines and a check, ‘Tamnut 74’, were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three blocks over two years in an organic certified research plot at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension in Vernon, Texas. Our forage quality findings are similar to previous reports while increasing forage mineral knowledge. Genotypic effects were the main influence for observed data variation (p < 0.001). Strong negative correlations were found between fat (F) and ADF (r=-0.77) and EN and ADF (r= -0.74). Lines TPO_01, TPO_07, TPO_08, TPO-09, and TPO_16 were identified as candidates for organic peanut forage production and can be used as parents for future improvement efforts.