Abstract: 【Objective】To investigate the dynamic changes in water absorption characteristics of peanut kernels for sprouting,thereby providing a theoretical reference for the breeding and production of sprouting peanut varieties. 【Methods】Zhuhua 11,Zhu H23,Yuhua 93,Yuhua 9326,Luhua No. 8,and Huayu 20 were used as experimental materials. The kernels were respectively placed in a water-bath electric thermostatic incubator at（25±2）℃,and water absorption capacity of sprouting peanut kernel was measured at different soaking times to analyze the dynamic changes in water absorption characteristics with soaking time.【Results】The water absorption capacity and water absorption ratio of peanut kernels for sprouting showed a continuous increasing trend with prolonged soaking time. When the water absorption capacity reached 50%,Zhuhua 11,Yuhua 93,Yuhua 9326,and Huayu 20 required 3 h of soaking,while Zhu H23 and Luhua No. 8 required 4 h. When the water absorption ratio reached 50%,Zhuhua 11 required 7 h of soaking,Yuhua 93,Yuhua 9326,and Zhu H23 required 5 h of soaking,Huayu 20 required 24 h of soaking,and Luhua No. 8 maintained a water absorption ratio below 50% throughout 1 to 72 h of soaking. The water absorption rate decreased gradually with prolonged soaking time,with the highest rate occurring during 0 to 1 h,a sharp decline from 1 to 2 h,a smaller decline from 2 to 6 h,and approaching a horizontal line after 36 h. The 100-grain volume and expansion rate increased continuously with prolonged soaking time. After 72 h of soaking,the 100-grain fresh weight of Zhuhua 11,Zhu H23,Yuhua 93,Yuhua 9326,Luhua No. 8,and Huayu 20 increased by 61.49%,80.35%,65.32%,65.27%,55.75%,and 51.02%,respectively,compared to the initial dry weight;grain length increased by 16.94%,15.07%,11.17%,23.53%,12.59%,and 16.51%,respectively,compared to the initial grain length;and grain width exhibited a wave-like increase with prolonged soaking time. Spearson correlation analysis indicated that water absorption ratio and water absorption rate were extremely significantly negatively correlated with water absorption capacity,100-grain volume,expansion rate,100-grain fresh weight,grain length,and grain width（P<0.01）;water absorption capacity was extremely significantly positively correlated with 100-grain volume,expansion rate,100-grain fresh weight,grain length,and grain width（P<0.01）;and 100-grain volume,expansion rate,100-grain fresh weight,grain length,and grain width were also extremely significantly positively correlated with each other（P<0.01）.【Conclusion】The longer and wider the peanut kernels for sprouting,the more favorable it is for increasing 100-grain volume,expansion rate,100-grain fresh weight,water absorption capacity,water absorption ratio,and water absorption rate. Yuhua 93,Yuhua 9326,and Luhua No. 8 are excellent peanut kernels for sprouting with coordinated water absorption characteristics.

Key words: Peanut kernels for sprouting, Water absorption characteristics, Dynamic changes