Effect of Chilling Injury on Windrowed Peanuts

Abstract

Abstract Quantitative gas chromatographic analysis of peanut volatiles showed ethanol concentrations in chilled seed with diameters 5.95 and 6.75 mm to be higher than in chilled seed with diameters between 6.75 and 7.94 mm. Normal ethanol concentrations were observed for both large and small seed in the control. Specific conductivity of leachates from the small diameter chilled seed was two to three times higher than the control. Only small differences were observed in the specific conductivity of leachates from the large diameter seed for the chilled treatment and the control. Results suggest that, when exposed to chilling temperatures, respiration in the small seed changed from an aerobic to an anaerobic process. The changes may be caused by modifications in the cell membrane structures of relatively immature seed as a result of exposure to chilling temperatures, with less effect in larger, more mature seed.