Comprehensive analysis of high-oil peanut cultivars in China: Agronomic performance, disease resistance, and breeding insights

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a globally significant oilseed crop, with China being the largest producer and consumer. High-oil peanut varieties, characterized by oil content exceeding 55 %, offer substantial economic and nutritional benefits. This study comprehensively analyzed 238 high-oil peanut varieties in China, focusing on their agronomic traits, quality characteristics, yield potential, and disease resistance. Correlation analysis highlights a trade-off between oil and protein content, posing a challenge for breeding high-protein, high-oil varieties. Disease resistance analysis indicates that while a considerable proportion of varieties exhibit resistance to major diseases like leaf spot, bacterial wilt, and rust, the level of high resistance remains low, necessitating further breeding efforts. Pedigree analysis underscores the importance of key parents like Kaixuan 016 and CTWE in high-oil peanut breeding. The findings suggest integrating molecular breeding techniques, exploring wild relatives for genetic diversity, and developing multi-trait breeding objectives to enhance oil content, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability. This research provides a solid foundation for future breeding programs aimed at improving the yield, quality, and resilience of high-oil peanut varieties to meet the growing global demand for edible oils.