The diagram represents the interaction between the abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) pathways, which play crucial roles in regulating seed dormancy and germination. ABA biosynthesis and signaling pathways, highlighted on the left side, promote seed dormancy, with key genes like ABI5, ABI4, and ABI3/VPI involved in signaling, while genes like MYB96 and SnRK2 are central to the dormancy process. In contrast, GA biosynthesis and signaling pathways, shown on the right side, promote germination through genes like RGA, RGL, SLY1, and GID1, with direct pathway factors such as DOF6 and DOG1. The balance between ABA and GA is depicted, illustrating how their opposing actions determine the seed’s transition from dormancy to germination. Note: The plant icons were taken from BioRender. Credit: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.110539

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 10–20%, and up to 50% in severe cases. This makes understanding the genetics behind varieties that resist sprouting under high-moisture conditions especially critical.

How fresh seed dormancy helps farmers

In a recent study, 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—a natural "built-in wait time" 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.

The research is published in the journal Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

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. "I encourage groundnut breeders everywhere to apply these findings in creating the next generation of resilient groundnut varieties," said Dr. Pathak.

Research findings and genetic insights

Ideally, groundnut crops mature in 90–120 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.

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.

The team selected the varieties with 10–21 days of dormancy, an ideal window to balance sprouting protection with timely planting.

The team further screened the genetic makeup 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.

Broader implications for agriculture

Dr. Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General—Research and Innovation at ICRISAT, said "Groundnut is an economically significant crop in semi-arid regions and a cornerstone of global oilseed production. 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."

The research lays the groundwork for developing groundnut varieties with 2–3 weeks of seed dormancy that provide farmers with a vital buffer to harvest safely.

"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. Genomic-level mitigation offers the most cost-effective solution, and we hope our findings will catalyze further research in this critical area," said Dr. Manish Pandey, Principal Scientist—Genomics & Pre-breeding, ICRISAT.

ICRISAT’s recent strides in understanding the genomics behind heat tolerance, disease resistance and blanchability in groundnut are shaping breeding strategies both within the Institute and across the wider research community. The Institute’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.

More information: D. Khaja Mohinuddin et al, Genomic analysis reveals the interplay between ABA-GA in determining fresh seed dormancy in groundnut, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.110539

Citation: Genomic discovery could save farmers millions by preventing groundnut sprouting before harvest (2025, December 8) retrieved 8 December 2025 from https://phys.org/news/2025-12-genomic-discovery-farmers-millions-groundnut.html

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