Lariat, a new peanut variety, could be the final development to push 100 percent high oleic production in the Southwest. Lariat is the third in a series of high oleic acid peanut varieties developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ARS Peanut Breeder Kelly Chamberlin.
“Industry prefers 100 percent high oleic peanuts for the U.S. market,” Chamberlin told Southwest Farm Press.
The new variety is expected to replace Red River Runner, which had delayed germination concerns and required fungicide application for Sclerotinia blight, a hard-to-control disease capable of severe injury to a peanut crop. And it has a similar flavor profile to Red River Runner.
The new variety is broadly adapted to southwestern U.S. growing conditions and also offers “no delayed germination.”
“They [high oleic varieties] are developed specifically to withstand the disease pressure, water availability and temperature extremes that are unique to Oklahoma and Texas,” Chamberlin said.