In peanut seeds, the relationship between the level of natural fungus infection and the seed quality has not been clearly established. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the level of natural fungus infection and the quality of peanut seeds in terms of viability and vigor. Tests were carried out with 10 lots of peanut seeds cv. Florman selected for their sanitary quality level, coming from the nucleus of the Argentinean peanut area. The tests identified as sensitive and that allowed establishment of the different levels of quality were germination, tetrazolium vigor and conductivity. The percentage of oil only detected variations in the high-level infection lots and there were no modifications in the oleic/linoleic relationship. In conclusion, this study shows that the quality levels of the lots are closely correlated with the physiology and sanitary quality.
Arachis hypogaea; fungus; viability; vigor
