{
    "title": "New Genomic Discovery from ICRISAT Could Save Farmers Millions by Preventing Groundnut Sprouting Before Harvest ",
    "modified_at": "2026-05-11 06:22:09",
    "published_at": "2025-12-02 04:00:00",
    "url": "https://isscanews.icrisat.org/new-genomic-discovery-from-icrisat-could-save-farmers-millions-by-preventing-groundnut-sprouting-before-harvest",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/n0Gd",
    "culture": "en",
    "language": "EN",
    "subtitle": "Breakthrough study identifies varieties and key genes to halt sprouting before harvest in groundnut due to unseasonal rains. ",
    "slug": "new-genomic-discovery-from-icrisat-could-save-farmers-millions-by-preventing-groundnut-sprouting-before-harvest",
    "body": "<p><strong>Unpredictable rains pose a serious threat to groundnut farmers, with pre-harvest sprouting causing significant losses. Spanish groundnut varieties, representing nearly 60% of global production, are particularly vulnerable. Premature germination triggered by early rains can reduce yields by 10&ndash;20%, and up to 50% in severe cases. This makes understanding the genetics behind varieties that resist sprouting under high-moisture conditions especially critical.</strong></p><p>In this <a href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0981942825010678?via%3Dihub\">study</a>, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and its partners show how breeders can develop groundnut varieties with fresh seed dormancy&mdash;a natural &ldquo;built-in wait time&rdquo; that prevents pre-harvest sprouting and protects both yield and quality. This trait offers a powerful safeguard against the severe financial losses farmers face when early rains trigger sprouting.</p><blockquote><strong>Speaking on the discovery, Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT, said that as climate uncertainties continue to challenge farming systems, genomic insights into Fresh Seed Dormancy represent a transformative opportunity to support millions of smallholder farmers across the Global South.</strong></blockquote><blockquote><strong>&ldquo;I encourage groundnut breeders everywhere to apply these findings in creating the next generation of resilient groundnut varieties&rdquo;, said Dr Pathak. </strong></blockquote><p>&nbsp;</p>\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/3053df74-3a7a-4bab-a810-9571083d8652/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                                    srcset=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/3053df74-3a7a-4bab-a810-9571083d8652/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/ 1x, https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/3053df74-3a7a-4bab-a810-9571083d8652/-/resize/2400x/-/format/auto/ 2x\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"\"\n                id=\"image-3053df74-3a7a-4bab-a810-9571083d8652\"\n                data-id=\"3053df74-3a7a-4bab-a810-9571083d8652\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/3053df74-3a7a-4bab-a810-9571083d8652/-/inline/no/DSC_4901c.jpg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/3053df74-3a7a-4bab-a810-9571083d8652/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Story image\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\"></figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Ideally, groundnut crops mature in 90&ndash;120 days after sowing, and farmers rely on a short dry window to harvest and dry the pods. This final stage is highly vulnerable; even a brief spell of rain during maturity or drying can trigger pre-harvest sprouting, resulting in significant yield, quality, and income losses.</p><p>By evaluating 184 groundnut genotypes from the ICRISAT Genebank over two seasons, the study revealed a wide range of natural variation, with some varieties remaining dormant for over 30 days without sprouting, while others sprouted within a week.</p><p>The team selected the varieties with 10&ndash;21 days of dormancy, an ideal window to balance sprouting protection with timely planting. </p><p>The team further screened the genetic make-up of these select varieties and identified 9 high-confidence candidate genes associated with fresh seed dormancy and pre-harvest sprouting resistance, providing valuable insights for breeding improved varieties.</p>\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6530e717-5449-47a5-b31a-6c583a3f4b40/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                                    srcset=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6530e717-5449-47a5-b31a-6c583a3f4b40/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/ 1x, https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6530e717-5449-47a5-b31a-6c583a3f4b40/-/resize/2400x/-/format/auto/ 2x\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"\"\n                id=\"image-6530e717-5449-47a5-b31a-6c583a3f4b40\"\n                data-id=\"6530e717-5449-47a5-b31a-6c583a3f4b40\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6530e717-5449-47a5-b31a-6c583a3f4b40/-/inline/no/ICP_4507.jpg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6530e717-5449-47a5-b31a-6c583a3f4b40/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Story image\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\"></figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p>&nbsp;</p><blockquote><strong>Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General &ndash; Research and Innovation at ICRISAT, said groundnut is an economically significant crop in semi-arid regions and a cornerstone of global oilseed production.&rdquo; </strong></blockquote><blockquote><strong>&ldquo;Optimizing seed dormancy is not just a benefit for smallholder farmers; it has transformative potential for the global economy by sustaining quality production and reducing losses despite changing weather,&rdquo; said Dr Blade</strong></blockquote><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The research lays the groundwork for developing groundnut varieties with 2&ndash;3 weeks of seed dormancy that provide farmers with a vital buffer to harvest safely.</p><blockquote><strong>&ldquo;While our research focuses on groundnuts, fresh seed dormancy is a crucial trait in multiple crops, particularly in the face of increasingly unpredictable agricultural seasons. </strong></blockquote><blockquote><strong>&quot;Genomic-level mitigation offers the most cost-effective solution, and we hope our findings will catalyze further research in this critical area,&rdquo; said Dr Manish Pandey, Principal Scientist &ndash; Genomics &amp; Pre-breeding, ICRISAT.</strong></blockquote><p>&nbsp;</p><p>ICRISAT&#039;s recent strides in understanding the genomics behind <a href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-15509-4\">heat tolerance,</a> <a href=\"https://pressroom.icrisat.org/breakthrough-discovery-offers-hope-against-devastating-groundnut-disease\">disease resistance</a> and <a href=\"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12870-025-07309-9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blanchability</a> in groundnut are shaping breeding strategies both within the Institute and across the wider research community. The Institute&rsquo;s groundnut breeding program continues to screen its global germplasm collection for priority traits and to incorporate gene-level insights into ongoing breeding efforts, ensuring the development of future-ready varieties.</p><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-5f4397ea-e0f3-4c75-ae00-6eb3023c1312\">\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__avatar\"><img src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6f990d02-ecc0-408e-9a1f-8fc2f62c5081/-/crop/682x682/62,0/-/preview/-/scale_crop/128x128/center/-/format/auto/\" alt=\"Roseleen Aind\" class=\"release-content-contact__avatar-image\" /></div>\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Roseleen Aind</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">Senior Communications Specialist - Asia</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:roseleen.aind@icrisat.org\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"roseleen.aind@icrisat.org\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>roseleen.aind@icrisat.org</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://www.icrisat.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"icrisat.org\"><svg class=\"icon icon-browser release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-browser\"></use>\n            </svg>icrisat.org</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div><h4 id=\"related-articles\" >Related Articles:</h4><div id=\"bookmark-c459b827-2975-4120-94dd-b533dbfbda5a\"\n     class=\"release-content-bookmark release-content-bookmark--horizontal\">\n\n            <a 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    "links": [
        {
            "description": "Breakthrough Discovery Offers Hope Against Devastating Groundnut Disease",
            "url": "https://pressroom.icrisat.org/breakthrough-discovery-offers-hope-against-devastating-groundnut-disease"
        },
        {
            "description": "ICRISAT and Malawi Government Release Climate-Resilient Groundnut Variety for Commercialization",
            "url": "https://pressroom.icrisat.org/icrisat-and-malawi-government-release-climate-resilient-groundnut-variety-for-commercialization"
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        {
            "description": "Groundnut Breeding at ICRISAT Delivers Strong Yield Gains: Genetic Gain Assessment Reveals",
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    "tags": [
        "Environmental Conservation",
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