I spoke to two NC State Extension agents over the past few weeks and they indicated that farmers are going to be reluctant to grow NC 20. The trepidation is related in part to a higher frequency of sound splits (less economic value for two sound splits compared with a sound mature kernel.) I addressed that in Peanut Notes No. 264.

The other issue is getting adequate stands. This issue in 2025 might be related to seed production in 2024.  Quality of seed production in 2024 for NC 20 to be planted in 2025 was relatively poor. In an effort to produce as much seed as possible for the future (a goal in the early years of a variety in Foundation Seed producion,) my understanding is that larger kernels that are often removed for certified seed were not removed for foundation seed for 2025 plantings (every viable seed was needed, even the larger one.) The goal was to get as many plants in a field as possible to increase the supply of NC 20. This was the case for the foundation NC 20 I received. I needed as much seed as possible for our large-plot variety trials across the state, so I was willing to deal with the larger seed. However, this did create problems with uniform seed delivery at planting. Some of our trials had erratic stands for NC 20. A higher fraction seed that is large in the case of a variety that is already considered a large-seeded variety can create an issue at planting.

Will these two issues be a constant for NC 20 (sound splits and stand establishment?) I hope not. Preliminary results from our large-plot trials demonstrates the resistance in leaf spot with NC 20 compared with Bailey II, Emery, and NC 21. NC 20 had the least amount of disease in several trials compared with Bailey II, Emery or NC 21. NC 21 was closer to Emery than Bailey II in terms of leaf spot disease. This could be a big plus if we can fit NC 20 into our production systems.