Tropical Agricultural Research & Extension 24 (4): 2021 INTRODUCTION The botanical name for groundnut, Arachis hypogaea L., is derived from two Greek words, Arachis meaning a legume and hypogaea meaning below ground, denoting the formation of pods in the soil (Ansari et al., 2015). Groundnut is an important oilseed food and feed crop grown in hundreds of countries. It is valued as a rich source of energy contributed by protein (25–28%) and oil (48–50%) in seeds. Groundnut provides 564 kcal of energy from 100 g of kernels (Jambunathan, 1991). Also, the groundnut kernels contain many health-improving nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and are rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids. It contains vitamin E, antioxidants like p-coumaric acid and resveratrol, and B-complex groups of vitamin B-6, thiamin, folates, niacin and SCREENING EXOTIC GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L.) LINES FOR INTRODUCING AS A SMALL-SEEDED VARIETY (ANKGN4/Tiny) IN SRI LANKA Diddugodage Chamila Jeewani1*, Yaddehige Priya Jayantha Amarasinghe2, Gayani Wijesinghe2 and Rajapaksha Weeraman Pushpa Kumara2 1Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka 2Grain Legumes and Oil Crops Research and Development Centre, Angunakolapelessa, Sri Lanka Received: 13 September 2021: Accepted: 03 December 2021 Abstract Small seeded groundnut varieties utilized for the chocolate balls and candies have huge demand by the producers. In the present study, through a screening process of exotic germplasm, a new small seeded groundnut line (SAARC NO 201) was identified as a promising variety for the industry. The SAARC NO 201 line matured within 3 months. The average yield of the line was 2.7 t ha−1 (±0.14) higher than that of Tissa (2.3 t ha−1±0.24) and ANKG1 (2. 3 t ha −1 ±0.13). The potential yield of the SAARC NO 201 line was 4.2 t ha −1 . Further, it was moderately resistant to collar rot, leaf spot, rust, and bud necrosis disease and leaf-eating caterpillars at field level. Hence, it has been released by the Department of agriculture in 2020, renaming as ANKGN4/Tiny considering its suitability for the chocolate ball industry and the greater potential for increasing productivity of groundnut in Sri Lanka. Keywords: Arachis hypogaea L., Chocolate ball, Selection, Short duration, Small seeded groundnut, Value addition pantothenic acid. Groundnut is a dietary source of biologically active polyphenols, flavonoids, and iso-flavones (Janila et al., 2013). As it is highly nutritive and energetic, groundnut and products based on groundnut can be promoted as nutritional foods to combat energy, protein, and micronutrient malnutrition among people. Groundnut seeds can be consumed as raw, boiled, and roasted and it is also used in confections. Its flour is used in baked products. Groundnut crop is mainly cultivated in dry and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka and the annual cultivation extent in 2018 was 15,752 ha with the production of 27,602 t pods. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has imported 4300 t of groundnut valued at about Rs.784 million from other countries in 2018 (Agstat, 2019). Corresponding author: jeewanididdugoda@yahoo.com RESEARCH ARTICLE DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/tare.v24i4.5543 JEEWANI DGC ET AL.: ANKGN4/TINY, GROUNDNUT FOR CHOCOLATE BALL PRODUCTION 331 Southern Bolivia and Northern Argentina are thought to be center of origin of groundnut (Gregory et al., 1980; Kochert et al., 1996). The groundnut improvement program in Sri Lanka has continued to depend on the plant introductions from international research centres. As Sri Lanka has no groundnut wild relatives, exotic parental materials were used to develop varieties by hybridization and selection (Jeewani et al., 2012). Seven groundnut varieties [Tissa, Walawa, Indi, Tikiri, ANKG1, ANKG2 (Lanka Jumbo) and ANKGN3] developed at Grain Legumes and Oil Crops Research and Development Centre, (GLORDC) Angunakolapelessa have been recommended for general cultivation by the Department of Agriculture (DOA) in Sri Lanka. Among them, four varieties were released as introductions through selection (Walawa, Indi, Tikiri, Lanka Jumbo), while one variety from mutation breeding (Tissa) and two varieties from hybridization and selection (ANKG1 and ANKGN3). Seed size is the most important physical quality trait that attracts consumers’ immediate attention and has been under strong selection pressure since groundnut domestication (Venuprasad et al., 2011). Among the groundnut varieties in Sri Lanka, Tissa, Indi, Tikiri and ANKG1 varieties have medium-size seeds (35 to 70 grams per 100 seed mass) while Walawa, Lanka Jumbo and ANKGN3 were released as large-seeded or jumbo peanut (>70 grams per 100 seed mass) varieties (Jeewani et al ., 2020). Hence, all the varieties released so far in Sri Lanka belong to the medium and large-seeded or jumbo peanut category. Groundnuts which have a seed mass lower than 35 grams per 100 seeds are considered as small-seeded groundnut. In Sri Lanka, the majority of groundnuts are consumed as seeds with little or no value addition. Only a very few value-added products can be seen in the market. Therefore, it is very important to develop varieties that are suitable for preparing value-added products. Hence, our breeding and evaluation program focused on the development of groundnut varieties suitable for the value-added food industry. Small-seeded groundnut varieties that can be utilized for sweets, chocolate balls and candies are limited in Sri Lanka. At present, the annual demand for the small-seeded groundnut variety suitable for the chocolate ball industry is about 2000 t. As there is a demand for small-seeded groundnut for the chocolate ball industry, the development of varieties to fulfill the needs of the local food industry and consumers is a timely requirement. Further, it will help to reduce groundnut importation and directly expands the cultivation in the country while producing a niche market for groundnut growers. Further, if there is an excess production in small-seeded groundnut, it can be easily utilized for peanut butter production and other snack production. Hence, a germplasm evaluation and selection program was initiated using the groundnut lines received from SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) germplasm evaluation program and from ICRISAT (International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics) to identify a new short duration (3 months) and small- seeded groundnut variety suitable for the chocolate ball production. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six Groundnut lines received from the SAARC germplasm evaluation program (SAARC No. 201 to SAARC No. 206) and 5 lines from ICRISAT, India (ICGV 3487, ICGV 4117, ICGV 4118, ICGV 3090 and ICGV 3098) were multiplied and characterized during the 2015/16 Maha and 2016 Yala seasons at the GLORDC, Angunakolapelessa, Sri Lanka. Initial line selection was carried out by evaluating the growth habit, seed size and crop duration. Six lines were selected and the yield trials were conducted at GLORDC, Angunakolapelessa, during the 2016/17 Maha and 2017/18 Maha seasons. For that, 4 m × 2.7 m plots were used with 3 replicates in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and DOA recommended spacing of 45 cm × 15 cm was provided for plants. As there were no small- seeded varieties, two medium-seeded varieties; Tissa and ANKG1 were used as check varieties. At harvesting, the outer rows and one plant at each end of each row were discarded to obtain net plot yield. Tropical Agricultural Research & Extension 24 (4): 2021 Among the six lines, three lines were identified as promising lines and evaluated in the National Coordinated Varietal Testing trial (NCVT) for yield, crop duration and hundred seed mass at different research stations under DOA in different agro- ecological regions. In 2018/19 Maha season, the NCVT was conducted in six research fields at GLORDC, Angunakolapelessa (DL2b), Field Crops Research and Development Institute (FCRDI), Mahailuppallama (DL1b), and four agriculture research stations at Aralaganvila (DL2a), Killinochchi (DL3), Thirunelveli (DL3) and Maduruketiya (IL1c), with Tissa and ANKG1 as check varieties. The same trial was repeated in the 2019 Yala season at three research stations at Angunakolapelessa, Aralaganvila and Maduruketiya. The experiments were conducted in a RCBD, with three replicates using the recommended spacing for groundnut and the plot size was 4 m × 2.7 m. The Variety Adaptability Testing trial (VAT) was carried out in the 2019/20 Maha season along with Tissa and ANKG1 varieties in four farmer fields at Low country dry zone areas of Madirigiriya, Sathurukondan, Saliyapura and Jadura in an RCBD with two replicates. For that, 10 m × 5 m plots were used with 2 replicates in RCBD and DOA recommended spacing of 45 cm × 15 cm was provided for plants. Data were collected on net plot yield, crop maturity duration, seed characters, and pest and disease scores under field conditions. The selected new line, SAARC No.201 was characterized according to the groundnut descriptors developed by ICRISAT (IBPGR and ICRISAT, 1992). All the experiments were conducted by supplying DOA recommended fertilizer (Basal dressing - 35kg, 100kg, 75kg of Urea, Triple Super Phosphate and Muriate of Potash per hectare respectively and top dressing – Urea 30kg per hectare) and spacing for groundnut (45 cm × 15 cm). SAARC No. 201 line was screened for major diseases [Leaf spot, Bud Necrosis Disease (BND), Collar rot, and Rust] and pests (Aphids, Thrips and Leaf Caterpillars) along with the check varieties (Tissa and ANKG1) under the field conditions at GLORDC, Angunakolapelessa, during 2019 Yala season without spraying pesticides. For that, 3 m × 2 m plots were used with 3 replicates and DOA recommended spacing of 45 cm × 15 cm was provided for plants. Hence, each plot contained four rows. Percent disease incidence data were recorded from 10 plants in the centre two rows of each plot. Disease severity indexes were recorded according to the modified ICRISAT 9 point scale and pictorial key (Subrahmanyam et al., 1995), where infected percentage was 1: 0% (no disease), 2: 1%-5%, 3: 6%-10%, 4: 11%-20%, 5: 21%-30%, 6: 31%-40%, 7: 41%-60%, 8: 61%-80%, 9: 81%-100%. Accordingly, resistance levels were classified as ‘resistant’ (disease score 1), ‘moderately resistant’ (disease score 2-3), ‘moderately susceptible’ (disease score 4-5), ‘susceptible (disease score 6-7) and ‘highly susceptible’ (disease score 8-9). Yield data were analyzed using SAS (SAS Institute Inc 2013) and variance component methods (Abeysiriwardena et al., 1991) and the treatment means were compared using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at p = 0.05. Further, the selected new line was handed over to Plenty Foods (Pvt) Ltd to evaluate its performance for chocolate ball product development. The new line was cultivated by Plenty Foods (Pvt) Ltd in 1 ha land at Potuvil area and submitted the evaluation report after chocolate ball product development. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Among the 11 groundnut lines tested at germplasm evaluation, only six lines (SAARC No. 201, ICGV 3487, ICGV 4117, ICGV 4118, ICGV 3090 and ICGV 3098) had small seeds and matured within 3 months period. Those six lines were selected for station yield trials (Table 1). Data on pod yield at station yield trials at GLORDC, Angunakolapelessa in 2016/17 Maha revealed that the SAARC No. 201, ICGV 3487 and ICGV 4118 lines were significantly higher (p>0.05) than the check 332 JEEWANI DGC ET AL.: ANKGN4/TINY, GROUNDNUT FOR CHOCOLATE BALL PRODUCTION Line Growth habit Seed size Crop duration months SAARC No. 201 erect small 3 SAARC No. 202 decumbent3 medium 3.5 SAARC No. 203 decumbent3 medium 3.5 SAARC No. 204 decumbent2 medium 3.5 SAARC No. 205 decumbent3 medium 3.5 SAARC No. 206 decumbent2 medium 3 ICGV 3487 erect small 3 ICGV 4117 decumbent3 small 3 ICGV 4118 erect small 3 ICGV 3090 decumbent3 small 3 ICGV 3098 erect small 3 Table 1: Initial line selection in 2015/16 Maha and 2016 Yala seasons at GLORDC, Angunakolapelessa. varieties (Table 2). In 2017/18 Maha the same lines performed well when compared with other tested lines (Table2). Considering the yield and growth habits, SAARC No. 201, ICGV 3487 and ICGV 4118 lines were selected for NCVT trials. The NCVT data were analyzed separately for each location in each season using the average ranking method (Table 3) and variance component method of analysis (Tables 4 and 5). The lines tested in two seasons of 2018/19 Maha and 2019 Yala at six different research stations revealed that the average pod yield ranged from 2.5 to 3.1 t ha−1 for SAARC Variety/line Average pod yield (kg ha−1) 2016/17 Maha 2017/18 Maha SAAC No. 201 2704.3 a 2204.3 a ICGV 3487 2468.3 ab 1968.5 ab ICGV 4118 2069.7 abc 1569.8 abc ICGV 3090 1443.8 cde 1443.2 bcd ICGV 4117 1355.0 de 855.6 d ICGV 3098 1299.3 e 1299.4 cd TISSA 1799.0 cde 1798.8 abc ANKG1 1973.3 bcd 1973.5 ab CV% 20.06 23.1 LSD 663.9 664.1 Table 2: Average pod yield of selected groundnut lines in station yield trials dur- ing 2016/17 Maha and 2017/18 Maha at GLORDC, Angunakolapelessa. Within each column, the means followed by the same letters are not significantly different p = 0.05. No.201 (Table 3). Average ranking data on pod yield revealed that SAARC No.201 was superior to other tested lines and check varieties in both seasons. This may be due to the higher genetic potential of SAARC No. 201 than other tested lines. The most adaptable lines were selected by giving adaptability rank based on the higher average pod yield, the higher number of positive deviations, lower mean deviation and non-significant variance in deviations across locations according to Abeysiriwardena et al., (1991). In 2018/19 Maha, Tissa had recorded the best adaptability rank than the other tested lines while SAARC No.201 recorded the second highest rank (Table 4). However, Tissa was not a small-seeded variety and its 100 seed mass was 45 grams. In 2019 Yala, SAARC No.201 recorded the best rank (Table 5). Hence, SAARC No.201 showed higher adaptability than the other tested lines and ANKG1 variety except Tissa. Hundred seed weight of the selected lines were tested in six locations at Thirunelveli, Angunakolapelessa, Kilinochchi, Mahailuppallama, Maduruketiya and Aralaganvila in 2018/19 Maha and three locations at Angunakolapelessa, Aralaganvila and Maduruketiya in 2019 Yala under NCVT trials confirmed that SAARC No.201 had the lowest hundred seed weight (31.9 g) than that of all the other tested varieties and lines. Further, it was observed that both SAARC 333 Tropical Agricultural Research & Extension 24 (4): 2021 T a b le 3 : A v er a g e p o d y ie ld ( t h a ⁻1 ) o v er l o ca ti o n s in 2 0 1 8 /1 9 M a h a a n d 2 0 1 9 Y a la . V a ri et y / L in e 2 0 1 8 /1 9 M a h a 2 0 1 9 Y a la A N K T H R M I M R K K C A R L A v er a g e Y ie ld R a n k A N K A R L M R K A v er a g e Y ie ld R a n k S A A R C N o . 2 0 1 1. 60 a 1. 50 a 2. 60 a 3. 15 a b 2. 08 ab 3. 84 a 2. 52 1 2. 54 a 4. 17 a 4. 27 a 3. 14 1 IC G V 3 4 8 7 0. 93 b 0. 90 b 2. 68 a 2. 30 c 2. 23 ab 3. 13 a 2. 03 5 2. 97 a 2. 59 c 1. 15 d 2. 88 5 IC G V 4 1 1 8 1. 52 a 1. 09 a b 1. 76 a 3. 39 a 1. 35 b 4. 24 a 2. 30 2 3. 04 a 3. 15 b 2. 02 c 3. 04 2 T is sa 1. 58 a 1. 34 a b 2. 97 a 3. 09 a b 2. 00 a b 4. 34 a 2. 58 2 2. 84 a 2. 69 c 3. 43 b 2. 88 2 A N K G 1 1. 28 ab 1. 13 a b 2. 42 a 2. 89 b 2. 60 a 3. 86 a 2. 35 4 2. 90 a 3. 24 b 2. 16 c 2. 77 2 C V % 14 24 34 7. 4 24 25 16 6. 9 1 6. 8 L S D ( 0 .5 ) 0 0. 6 1. 6 0. 4 0. 9 1. 7 0. 9 0. 41 1 R an k –g iv en b y av er ag e ra nk in g m et ho d, A N K -A ng un ak ol ap el es sa , T H R -T hi ru ne lv el i, M I- M ah ai lu pp al la m a, M R K -M ad ur uk et iy a, K C - K ili no ch ch i, A R L- A ra la ga nv ila No.201 and ICGV 4118 belonged to the small -seeded category while others belonged to the medium-size seed category (Table 6). Hence, SAARC No.201 and ICGV 4118 lines were selected for VAT trials at farmer fields. As ANKG1 had a lower 100 seed weight (36- 39 g) than Tissa (45-46 g), the ANKG1 variety was selected as the check variety in VAT trials. The lines tested in 2019/20 Maha seasons at four farmers’ fields at Sathurukondan, Madirigiriya, Jadura and Saliyapura revealed that the pod yield ranged from 2.5 t ha−1 to 2.8 t ha−1 for SAARC No.201 and 1.7 to 3.1 t ha−1 for ANKG1 (Table 7). The average yield in SAARC No.201 at farmer fields was superior to other tested lines and check variety except in the farmer field at Sathurukondan. Considering the higher average yield, lower mean distance and variance from maximum response, SAARC No.201 line was identified as superior to ICGV 4118 and the check variety ANKG1 (Table 8). SAARC No.201 has recorded a 2.7 t ha−1 average pod yield while both Tissa and ANKG1 recorded 2.3 t ha−1 (Table 8). Though the SAARC No.201 has small seeds, it recorded a higher average yield due to the higher number of pods per plant and it will help to make the cultivation profitable. The highest pod yield for SAARC No.201 was recorded as 4.2 t ha−1 at Maduruketiya and at Aralaganvila it was 4.1 t ha−1 (Table 3). Hundred seed mass of lines at VAT trials were depicted in table 9. Plenty Foods (Pvt) Ltd had cultivated the SAARC No.201 line in the Potuvil area. During the cultivation season, this line was not attacked by any pests and diseases and harvested at three months aged (Table 10). After producing chocolate balls, they confirmed the fitness of SAARC No. 201 characters with the standards of chocolate ball production (personal communication). According to the evaluation report of Plenty Foods (Pvt) Ltd, SAARC No. 201 line was ideal in terms of 100 seed mass, seed size, uniformity and roasting quality (Table 10). 334 JEEWANI DGC ET AL.: ANKGN4/TINY, GROUNDNUT FOR CHOCOLATE BALL PRODUCTION Variety/Line Average yield over 6 locations t/ha Adaptability Parameters No. of + deviations out of 6 locations Mean deviation over locations Interaction variance Adaptability rank SAAC No. 201 2.52 3 0.14 a 0.52* 2 ICGV 3487 2.03 2 −0.29 b 0.24 5 ICGV 4118 2.29 1 −0.09 ab 0.17 4 Tissa 2.58 5 0.22 a 0.28 1 ANKG 1 2.35 2 0.04 a 0.19 3 Table 4: Adaptability parameters derived on variance component method in NCVT during 2018/19 Maha season. Mean in each column followed by the same letters are not significantly different (p = 0.05), *Significant Variety/Line Average yield over 3 locations t/ha Adaptability Parameters No. of + deviations out of 3 Mean deviation over locations Interaction variance Adaptability rank SAAC No. 201 3.14 2 0.78a 0.70 1 ICGV 3487 2.88 1 −0.64c 1.59* 4 ICGV 4118 3.04 0 −0.14b 0.04 3 Tissa 2.88 1 0.10b 0.25 2 ANKG 1 2.77 0 −0.11b 0.04 4 Table 5: Adaptability parameters derived on variance component method in NCVT during 2019 Yala season. Mean in each column followed by the same letters are not significantly different (p = 0.05), *Significant 2018/19 Maha 2019 Yala Line/ variety THR ANK KC MI MRK ARL Average ANK ARL MRK Average NO. 201 32.7 27.6 33.4 32.0 33.0 32.7 31.9±0.60 32.7 30.1 32.8 31.9±0.50 ICGV 4118 33.7 30.0 34.6 30.0 34.3 33.0 32.6±1.29 34.3 30.0 34.6 33.0±2.52 ICGV 3487 37.7 37.0 42.8 34.0 39.0 39.7 38.4±1.25 39.0 37.0 42.8 39.6±2.31 Tissa 42.2 45.0 45.1 47.3 45.3 46.0 45.1±0.63 48.2 45.0 45.3 46.2±1.00 ANKG1 34.6 40.0 45.7 37.3 36.0 38.7 38.6±1.12 33.7 39.3 34.7 35.9±1.33 Table 6: 100 seed weight (g) of selected lines and check varieties at NCVT trials. ANK –Angunakolapelessa, THR-Thirunelveli, MI-Mahailuppallama, MRK-Maduruketiya, KC- Kilinochchi, ARL-Aralaganvila The main reason for selecting small size groundnut seeds for chocolate ball production is to maximize consumer satisfaction by increasing the number of chocolate balls in a unit weight of a packet they purchase. This company is willing to utilize this candidate line for the chocolate ball production industry. The quality parameters of pods and crop maturity duration of SAARC No. 201 were compared with those of Tissa and ANKG1 varieties, and it was revealed that SAARC No. 201 is ideal for the chocolate ball production industry. Further, it is matured within 3 months that is best fitted for the seasonal cropping pattern of Sri Lanka (Table 11). The screening results for major pest and diseases of new line confirmed that SAARC No. 201 was moderately resistant to all the 335 Tropical Agricultural Research & Extension 24 (4): 2021 Line/ variety Pod yield (t ha−1) Average yield over locations (t ha−1) L1 L2 L3 L4 NO.201 2.9 2.5 2.8 2.7 2.7 ICGV4118 2.3 1.7 1.9 1.8 1.9 ANKG1 3.2 2.0 2.3 1.7 2.3 Table 7: Average Pod Yield (t ha−1) of SAARC No.201 with compared to the standard variety ANKG1 at farmer fields in 2019/20 Maha season. L1- Sathurukondan, L2- Madirigiriya, L3- Jadura, L4- Saliyapura Line/ variety Distance from maximum re- sponse Aver- age yield t ha−1 Adapta- bility rank Mean Vari- ance NO.201 0.76 b 0.11 2.74 1 ICGV4118 1.59 a 0.29 1.91 3 ANKG1 1.21 a 1.53* 2.29 2 Table 8: Mean and variance of the distance from the maximum response and the adaptability ranks of SAARC No.201, ICGV 4118 and ANKG1 in VAT under farmer field conditions during 2019/20 Ma- ha. *Significant, Mean in each column followed by the same letters are not significantly different (p = 0.05) Line/ variety 100 seed mass (g) Average L1 L2 L3 L4 SAARC 201 32.7 30.1 32.8 30.3 31.5±0.46 ICGV 4118 36.0 37.0 32.7 38.7 36.1±1.19 ANKG1 36.1 38.7 39.3 45.0 39.8±1.37 Table 9: Hundred seed mass (g) of selected lines and check variety in 2019/20 Maha season. L1- Sathurukondan, L2- Madirigiriya, L3- Jadura, L4- Saliyapura Character Observation Seed germination % at the field 90 Pest and diseases Not recorded any pest or disease problem No. of days to harvesting 90 days Yield 2 t/ha 100 seed weight 30 g Seed quality–Size and uni- formity Good Roasted quality Good Suitability for chocolate ball production Fits with the standards of the products Table 10: Evaluation data submitted by Plenty Foods (Pvt) Ltd. tested diseases of Leaf spot, BND, Collar rot, and Rust. Further, it was moderately resistant to leaf-eating caterpillars. Aphids and Thrips were not recorded during the cropping season (Table 12). Parameter SAARC No. 201 ANKG1 Tissa No. of days to mature Yala Maha 89-93 86-100 96-98 88-109 94-98 87-108 Shelling % 62-68 65-70 60-65 Seed size Small Medium Medium 100 seed weight (g) 30-33 38-45 40-45 Sound mature seed (%) 68-70 68-70 70-72 Seed dormancy (weeks) No No No Table 11. Seed maturity duration and quality parameters of pods. The composition of the SAARC No. 201 line and other check varieties were tested by using the proximate analysis. The percentage moisture and carbohydrate content in medium (ANKG1 and Tissa) and small-sized groundnut seeds (SAARC No. 201) were similar (Table 13). In contrast, SAARC No. 201 had a higher protein level, compared to that in medium seeded groundnut (Table 13). Olayinka et al (2016) also reported that small- seeded groundnut contained higher protein than medium seeded groundnut. Plant and pod characters of the SAARC No.201 line were recorded according to the groundnut descriptor. It has an erect growth habit and sequential branching pattern. The stem was light greenish. However, purplish stem pigmentation is also noticed in all the stages of plant development, and peg 336 JEEWANI DGC ET AL.: ANKGN4/TINY, GROUNDNUT FOR CHOCOLATE BALL PRODUCTION Line/Variety Field Resistance level Leaf spot BND Collar rot Rust Aphids Thrips Leaf eating caterpillars SAARC No. 201 MR MR MR MR NR NR MR Tissa MR MR MR S NR NR MR ANKG1 MR MS MS S NR NR MR Table 12: Screening results for major pest and diseases S-Susceptible, MS-Moderately Susceptible, MR-Moderately Resistant, R-Resistant, NR-Not Recorded Variety/line Moisture (%) Fat (%) Ash (%) Protein (%) CHO (%) No. 201 7.63±0.24 41.76±0.93 2.71±0.06 27.10±0.07 20.80 ANKG1 7.03±0.42 42.21±0.04 3.99±0.04 25.66±0.82 21.11 Tissa 7.1±0.02 42.47±0.43 3.02±0.11 23.01±0.51 20.4 Table 13: Proximate analysis of groundnut. pigmentation was also presented. Leaflets were oblong shaped. Fifty percent flowering was observed at 25 days after planting. It contained 50-95 pods per plant. Pods had prominent beak and reticulation while the pod constriction was moderate to deep. Interestingly, 100 seed mass was 30 to 33g and belonged to the small seed category. Seeds were tan colored and no seed dormancy was recorded. SAARC No. 201 line was identified as a superior groundnut line for the value-added food industry and nominated to the variety releasing committee of the DOA, and it was released to the farming community renaming as ANKGN4/Tiny in 2020. CONCLUSION A new short duration and small-seeded groundnut line (SAARC NO.201) was identified through a selection process of exotic germplasm received from the SAARC germplasm exchange program. The new line recorded the average yield of 2.7 t ha−1 and matured within 3 months. It is well fitted into the existing cropping pattern of Sri Lanka. This is the first small-seeded (30-33 g of 100 seed mass) variety introduced for the chocolate ball industry by DOA in Sri Lanka, Further, the new line was moderately resistant for all major diseases in groundnut at field level. The candidate variety, SAARC NO.201 has been released by the variety releasing committee in 2020 renaming it as ANKGN4/ Tiny considering its greater potential for utilizing in the chocolate ball industry in Sri Lanka. AUTHOR CONTRIBUTION DCJ and YPJA conceptualized and designed the study. DCJ, YPJA, GW and RWPK performed the experiments. DCJ analyzed and interpret the data. DCJ contributed in drafting the manuscript and revised the manuscript. REFERENCES Abeysiriwardena SDZ, Buss GR, Paul F and Reese JR 1991 Analysis of multi – environmental yield trials for testing adaptability of crop genotypes. Tropical Agriculturist, 147:85-97 Agstat, 2019 Agricultural statistics. 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