In our last newsletter, we were just beginning the ‘Diesel Nut‘ project —now, two and a half years in, the project is thriving! The project’s main objectives include breeding high-oil-content peanut varieties, assessing the economic and environmental impacts, exploring endophyte-peanut relationships, developing improved crop management practices, and conducting grower outreach efforts. The project’s steady progress has even inspired successful spin-off initiatives.

One of these spin-offs focuses on creating a new market for peanut oil. While peanuts are already crushed for cooking oil, the current supply must meet national demand. Demand will rise even further if peanut oil becomes a key ingredient in renewable biodiesel. Earlier this year, Drs. John Cason and Luis Ribera from Texas A&M AgriLife received a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute for Food and Agriculture. Their research will evaluate the economic potential of establishing a market for high-oil peanuts. For more details, check out the full press release on AgriLife Today.

In the upcoming newsletters, we will continue to highlight the fascinating and innovative research underway and introduce you to the incredible individuals making it all possible.

We would also like to express our gratitude to our patrons for their continued support. Your generosity and dedication assist us in our mission to bring innovative and effective solutions to Texas peanut growers.

Nature is full of fascinating mutualistic relationships, such as the one between nitrogen-fixing bacteria and legumes. Dr. Jeff Brady and his research team are studying another remarkable example: the partnership between peanuts and beneficial soil microbes known as endophytes. As part of the ‘Diesel Nut’ project, the team is identifying endophytes that help peanuts tolerate drought and resist diseases. Early greenhouse trials have shown encouraging results, with some bacterial strains delaying drought stress in young peanut plants. While the initial trials used potting soil, the next phase will use sandy loam topsoil to determine if these early benefits hold up in a more realistic growing environment.

Claire Toalson, an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Brady’s lab, leads the endophyte screening portion of the project. The protocol begins by introducing endophytes using one of two methods: seed soak or soil drench. The seed soak method involves soaking peanut seeds in an endophyte solution before planting, whereas the soil drench method applies the solution directly to the soil after planting. Once treated, seeds are planted in 6-inch plastic pots and grown for four weeks in a germinator. After this period, water is withheld for two weeks to simulate drought stress. The plants are monitored daily for signs of leaf wilting, a key indicator of drought stress.

Like any research project, this study has faced a few challenges. Fungal growth has occasionally occurred during seed germination, prompting the addition of fungicide to the protocol as a preventative measure. However, researchers are still investigating whether the fungicide impacts the effectiveness of the endophytes. Another key consideration is the endophyte delivery method, as initial results have revealed trade-offs. The seed soak method produces a greater number of plants overall, while the soil drench method results in fewer but more robust plants. Depending on the project’s specific goals—whether to maximize plant numbers or enhance individual plant vigor—one method may prove more advantageous than the other.

As the research progresses, the team looks forward to refining these methods, overcoming challenges, and ultimately identifying the most effective endophytes for summer field trials.