13 Jul 2011Peanut production in the U.S. is primarily targeted towards the candy industry and for the production of peanut butter. Velencia peanuts, one of the major market type peanuts in the country, are mainly grown as an in-shell peanut and are desired by the candy industry due to their distinct sweet flavor.
This type of peanut is predominantly grown in eastern New Mexico and west Texas under irrigated conditions.
Most of the irrigation water in this region comes from the Ogallala aquifer. This aquifer is vital for the Southern High Plains, an area receiving only 450 mm rainfall per year with an evaporation rate greater than 2,000 mm per year. It is estimated that the aquifer could be depleted within 30 to 40 years. Farmers need peanut cultivars that mature early and produce greater yields with less use of water to continue growing peanuts in this region in the future.
http://greenbio.checkbiotech.org/news/improving_peanut_crops_through_genetics_researchers_utilize_core_collections_peanut_g
