Abstract:The traits of pod abscission, dehiscence and kernel cracking directly affect the mechanized harvest and processing in peanut. Here, a total of 720 germplasms from all over the world were used to evaluate pod abscission (plant–petiole and petiole–pod bearing points), pod dehiscence and kernel cracking with a numerical method. Both pod dehiscence and kernel cracking were evaluated from three different directions (horizontal, vertical and side). In pod abscission, the plant–petiole dropping force (51.13 lb) was significantly higher than that of the petiole–pod (22.28 lb), with the variations of 13.5 to 98.1 lb and 5.5 to 54.4 lb, respectively. The significant differences on pod dehiscence were detected among three directions. Of these, the side fracturing pod force is the largest, with an average of 10.76 lb, the vertical fracturing pod force is the second (8.04 lb), and the horizontal fracturing pod force is the smallest (7.47 lb). The force of pod abscission was significantly greater in breeding lines if compared to that of landraces, and this case was observed again in germplasms in South China to North China. The side force of kernel cracking was up to 12.59 lb, while the vertical pressure was lower to 8.48 lb. A higher value of kernel cracking was observed in breeding lines to landraces, but the trait of germplasms from different geographical showed no detectable difference. The cracking force of pods and seeds was from horizontal (r = 0.82, p < 0.01) and vertical extrusions (r = 0.97, p < 0.01), respectively. Finally, a total of 17 germplasms with excellent pod abscission, and 25 germplasms with fine dehiscence and kernel cracking characteristics were obtained. This work becomes helpful in design of harvesting and shelling machineries, and provides elite lines in breeding for new peanut varieties.