Geneticists and farmers in Fairhope, Alabama, are looking to solve some of the world's hunger problems, as they are developing a peanut that will be 100 percent resistant to drought and healthier than normal versions of the food, the Mobile Press-Register reported.
According to the news source, Larry Powell and Charles Chen used John Deere equipment to plant a number of peanut prototypes and the duo are hoping that their experiments yield one crop that will be qualified as a "high grade" peanuts.
"I want to emphasize drought tolerance," Chen said, discussing the seeds being planted. "In Alabama, most of the peanuts are grown in unirrigated fields. With climate change, we need to improve the water use. That’s more and more important."
The Press-Register reported that Chen and Powell sat on the back of a John Deere tractor and seed planter and monitored the many processes associated with putting the peanut prototypes into the ground.
According to the company's website, the seed planter attachments from the company allow for farmers to achieve a maximum yield, as the technology drives the seeds down to the perfect distance in the soil.
Alabama research to help feed Americans with drought-resistant peanuts
Larry Powell and Charles Chen used John Deere equipment to plant a number of peanut prototypes and the duo are hoping that their experiments yield one crop that will be qualified as a "high grade" peanuts.