Seed dormancy studies in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.): I. Methods of screening

Twenty-eight genotypes belonging to diverse groups of groundnut (Arachis hy pogaea L.) were screened for seed dormancy using three different methods, v iz., in situ sprouting, sowing in petriplates, and field germination test. All three methods of screening were able to discriminate effectively betwee n dormant and non-dormant types and, in addition, the petriplate test was a ble to identify fresh seed dormancy types within the non-dormant category. Four genotypes from ssp. fastigiata variety vulgaris, i.e., TG-17, ICGS-37, ICGS-19, and J-11 had fresh seed dormancy ranging from 20-30 days while th e remaining genotypes in this group were found to be non-dormant. All the g enotypes from ssp. hypogaea had appreciable levels of seed dormancy except Somnath (Virginia Runner group) and GG-20 (Virginia Bunch group). The field sprouting method was, however, the easiest and most convenient method for identifying genotypes with seed dormancy within the segregating material.