Effect of mid season drought on phenolic compounds in peanut genotypes with different levels of resistance to drought

Drought is a major constraint in peanut production. Drought not only reduces pod yield but also may affect phenolic compounds in peanut. This experiment was conducted for two years under field conditions. Soil moisture levels (field capacity and mid season drought stress) were assigned as main plots, and five peanut genotypes were assigned as sub plots. Peanut seeds were analyzed for phenolic compounds at harvest. Leaves and stems were also analyzed at 30 and 60 days after planting (DAP), and at harvest. Water regimes did not result in significant differences for phenolic compounds in seeds, whereas peanut genotypes were significantly different for this trait. Drought increased phenolic contents in leaves at 60 DAP and phenolic contents were reduced during the recovery period. The production of leaf phenolic compounds differed among genotypes. Mid season drought increased phenolic compounds in stems during the drought period and levels of phenolic production were different depending on peanut genotype. Breeding for high phenolic content and drought tolerance in peanut should be possible because mid season drought did not affect phenolic content in seeds. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.