Abstract: Peanut seeds (water content 6.21% ) were stored at 38–40 ℃ for artificial ageing storage with different gases. N2 or CO2 delayed peanut seed ageing in comparison with air. The rate of seed germination was not affected by storing for 26 weeks under N2 or CO2, but the vitality of seed lost when stored under air. Determination of peanut seed vigor (root length+ axial length)×percentage of germination may precisely show the change in seed quality during ageing. The results indicate the positive correlation between the respiration and subsequent growth in peanut seeds, and the significantly negative correlation between vigor and electrical conductivity or sugar content in the seed extract.