Seed Quality and Seedling Vigor in Peanut affected by Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

Germination and vigor are physiological components of seed quality that contribute to a successful plant emergence under a wide range of environmental conditions. Many biotic and abiotic factors can affect seed quality. Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) causes one of the most relevant problems in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), the tomato spotted wilt disease (TSW). Although TSW is not transmitted by seed, the presence of symptoms on the seed coat may impact seed quality and there is a lack of information on the effect of this disease on peanut seed quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of TSW symptoms on the seed coat on the physiological seed quality of peanut genotypes. Seeds from five peanut genotypes were separated into two symptomology groups, asymptomatic and symptomatic for TSW. Germination and vigor tests were performed on seeds and seedlings. Germination and normal seedling development were not affected by TSW. Radicle length and seedling weight were mainly impacted by genotype, with little effect from TSW. Vigor differences were likely more related to the given genotype innate susceptibility to TSW during seed formation than the actual presence of TSW symptoms on the seed coat. Overall, the presence of symptoms on the seed coat did not affect the seed physiological quality of peanut genotypes, except for the TSWV susceptible cultivar ‘SunOleic 97R’.