Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of population density on growth and productivity of Spanish and Virginia peanuts grown in Ñuble, Chile. For each peanut genotype a field trial was established using a randomized complete block design with four replications. Four population densities between 104 and 417 thousand plants ha-1 were used. The experimental unit (12 m2) consisted of four rows spaced at 60 cm. The harvest took place 152 days after sowing (DAS). Between 73 and 152 DAS the leaf area, biomass accumulated per organ, number of organs per plant and harvest index were determined. At harvest, plants contained in 3.6 m2 of each plot were removed, and dry weight of aerial parts, fruits and seeds was determined. For both peanut genotypes, increasing population density decreased leaf area, number of organs and accumulated biomass per plant. The distribution of plant biomass was unaffected. Greater density produced higher seed yield per unit area (2,031 and 1,932 kg ha-1 for Spanish and Virginia genotypes, respectively). High population densities in Spanish and Virginia peanuts reduce individual plant growth, but increase productivity per unit area.