Effect of Sowing Time on Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) Cultivars: II. Fatty Acid Composition

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of sowing time on fatty acid composition of three Virginia-type peanut cultivars developed at Cukurova University.The experiment was conducted at the experimental area of Agricultural Faculty, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey in 2010 growing season.The treatment was replicated three times in split-plot based on randomized complete block design with two sowing times (15 April as early sowing and 25 June as late sowing) in the main plots and three cultivars (Halis Bey, Osmaniye-2005 and Sultan) in the sub-plots.The results showed that palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:1), oleic (18:1) and gamma-linolenic acid (C18:3n-6) contents decreased, whereas, linoleic (18:2), arachidic (20:0) and eicosadienoic acid (20:2) increased with delay in sowing time.With regard to cultivars, Osmaniye-2005 was high in total unsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid ratio for both sowing times. The results show that sowing time has a marked effect on the fatty acid composition of these peanut cultivars.