Researchers from Australia and China have made a significant breakthrough in crop science by identifying key genetic changes that could help develop higher-yielding peanut varieties. Published in Nature Genetics on April 28, 2025, the study reveals how specific genes influence seed size and weight, two critical traits that directly impact peanut productivity and yield potential.
An international team of scientists from Murdoch University, Henan Agricultural University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences assembled a comprehensive peanut pangenome.
They analyzed the genetic diversity of 269 peanut accessions, including wild species, landraces, and cultivated varieties, providing an unprecedented view of the crop’s evolutionary history.
One of the most notable findings is the discovery of a gene called AhARF2-2, which plays a major role in limiting seed size. The researchers identified a 275-base pair deletion in this gene that prevents it from suppressing another gene, AhGRF5, which promotes seed growth.
As a result, disabling AhARF2-2 allows peanut seeds to grow larger, offering a promising genetic pathway for increasing yield. Interestingly, this gene was completely absent in all 61 wild peanut species studied, suggesting it is a unique product of domestication.
The study also uncovered over 1,300 structural genetic variations associated with domestication and 190 variations specifically linked to seed traits. The results indicate that peanut evolution involved uneven changes in its two subgenomes, with subgenome A undergoing more frequent genetic alterations than subgenome B, providing new insights into the development of cultivated peanuts.
Professor Rajeev Varshney of Murdoch University, the study’s lead author, described it as the most detailed genetic resource for peanuts to date. He highlighted its value not only for peanut breeding but also for improving other important crops like cotton and rapeseed.
Professor Peter Davies, also from Murdoch University, commended the research for its broader agricultural significance, noting that it could drive genetic advancements across several economically vital crops.
This discovery gives scientists powerful tools to develop peanut varieties that are larger, more productive, and better suited to the challenges of modern agriculture, paving the way for more sustainable and profitable farming worldwide.
(Source: Murdoch University)
