New UF/IFAS FloRun T61 Peanut Variety Shows Real Promise

 

Dr. Barry Tillman, UF/IFAS Peanut Breeder, North Florida Research and Education Center – Marianna

The University of Florida Peanut Breeding Program has developed a new runner type peanut variety named FloRun^TM ‘T61’.   The new variety is still in the seed increase stage with about 50 acres of seed produced in 2021, so it is about two years away from commercial seed availability.

FloRun T61 has high yield potential, high grades and outstanding resistance to spotted wilt (TSWV) which is the reason for the “T”  in ‘T61’.  It was developed at the University of Florida’s North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, Florida and was released in 2020.

The pod yield of FloRun T61 has been excellent and better than ‘Georgia-06G’ in tests across several Florida locations over the past two years. During several years of testing, FloRun T61 has proven to resist Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) and produce high yields when disease pressure from TSWV reduced yield of other varieties.  It has a medium seed size with about 650 seeds per pound and just over 40% medium kernels on an in-shell basis.  The vine growth of FloRun T61 is moderate, allowing good performance in twin rows without excessive vine production.  The maturity of FloRun T61 is in the medium range of 140-145 days after planting under irrigation in Florida.  In 2021, it performed very well in three on-farm demonstration plots in Florida, topping the yield in two of the three locations. FloRun T61 has high oleic oil and should be an excellent choice for farmers, shellers and manufacturers who need peanuts with the high oleic trait.