By Samuele Lamon, 2022-2025 FFAR Fellow
at the University of Georgia
The history of peanuts is fascinating. They originated less than 10,000 years ago from the natural crossbreeding of two wild species, Arachis duranensis and Arachis ipaënsis. This crossbreeding was followed by polyploidization, where the hybrid offspring ended up with four sets of chromosomes instead of two. Although initially reducing genetic diversity and isolating peanuts from closely related species, polyploidization also led to significant changes in peanut DNA, increasing their genetic diversity over time. Today, peanuts are incredibly diverse, with two subspecies, six botanical varieties, four major market types and thousands of landraces and cultivars. My research focuses on these DNA changes and the effects of genetic instability in peanut crops. By understanding the frequency and location of these changes in peanut chromosomes, we aim to help breeders create new peanut varieties that meet current agricultural needs and reduce farming’s environmental impact.