Growth Characteristics of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. cv. Sinpalkwang) as Influenced by Irrigation Frequency and Temperature Conditions

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the applicable, practical environmental conditions for growing peanut sprouts using an automated cultivation system in farmhouses by analyzing environmental factors on growth parameters, focusing on changes in weight and length. Methods: An automated cultivation system with a microcontroller to control temperature and irrigation frequency was developed and applied to the germination and growth of Sinpalkwang peanut sprouts. To assess the growth effects of the controlled environment in the cultivation system, the weight and length of the peanut sprouts were measured for up to 6 days. Finally, two growth indices, aggregate growth score and weight per unit length, were calculated to determine the overall growth of peanut sprouts. Results: The results showed significant variations in weight and length of Sinpalkwang in response to different irrigation frequencies and temperature conditions. The peanut sprouts exhibited statistically significant growth in terms of weight gain when subjected to a shorter irrigation frequency, with a positive correlation between weight and length. They also exhibited significant growth when subjected to a warmer temperature condition during germination phase with significantly higher growth indices. Conclusions: This study identified favorable growth conditions for peanut sprouts by manipulating irrigation frequency and temperature parameters. It suggests that carefully controlled temperature and irrigation cycles could potentially improve the quality and yield of peanut sprouts in a short harvest period.