Question

Why, when and how emasculation is done in groundnut? Why sterilization is essential?​

Answer 1

Peanut is a naturally self-pollinating species. However, for breeding purposes, cross-pollination must be performed by hand. Emasculation can be done any time before anther dehiscence, which is usually close to the time of petal expansion around sunrise, although this can vary with genotype.

Answer 2

Emasculation is done before the anthers are mature and the stigma has become receptive to minimise accidental self-pollination. Emasculation is generally done in the evening, between 4 and 6 p.m., one day before the anthers are expected to dehisce or mature and the stigma is likely to become fully receptive.