Agromorphological and phenological diversity of Algerian peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes

Despite a long history of cultivation, the genetic diversity of Algerian peanuts remains largely unexplored, and the country imports four times its national production. This study represents one of the first field evaluations of Algerian peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) germplasm, assessing the agronomic performance and morpho-phenological characteristics of local genotypes. Eleven genotypes from northern and southern Algeria were evaluated using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Nine morpho-phenological descriptors and 24 agronomic variables, including 17 direct measurements and seven derived ratios, were recorded for characterization. The genotypes differed in growth habit, branching pattern, pod characteristics, and timing of flowering and maturity. Days to 50% flowering ranged from 25 to 31 days after emergence, while pod maturity duration spanned nearly 60 days (104 to 163 days). Separate ANOVAs revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.001) for most traits. Yield components exhibited the highest coefficients of variation (CV: 27.75-30.01%), while derived ratios generally had lower CVs than their component traits, except for the stem-to-width and stem-to-lateral ratios (CV ≈ 27%). Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into three main clusters. Late-maturing spreading genotypes (A3, A6) had shorter main stems (24.49-25.89 cm), longer primary laterals (59.74-65.45 cm) at maturity, resulting in greater plant width, correlated with higher pod yields (50.37 g plant⁻¹ for A6). Early-maturing upright genotypes (A9, A10, A11) showed higher stem-to-lateral ratios but lower pod yields. Notably, genotype A4 combined early maturity (104 days) with a high 100-seed weight (74.94 g). This study provides well-characterized germplasm to support varietal selection and production diversification.