RED BELL PEPPER CULTIVAR EVALUATION FOR THE FALL MARKET
Applied Research
Wesley Kline
COUNTY AGENT II
MILLVILLE
Abstract
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\r\n Red bell peppers have a premium in the market place, but are difficult to grow under New Jersey conditions. The objective was to evaluate cultivars for acceptable fruit quality and yield. Sixteen cultivars were transplanted on July 1 into raised plastic covered beds with one drip line placed between double rows. Rows were 12 inches apart with 18 inches between plants and 5 ft. between beds in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Fruits were hand harvested and graded into size by weight. Cultivars with significantly higher yields included Alliance (950 boxes/A), Aristotle (976 boxes/A), Hunter (1181 boxes/A), XPP 6001 (978 boxes/A), Red Knight (995 boxes/A), King Arthur (1049 boxes/A), Paladin (1028 boxes/A), Patriot (1041 boxes/A), Classic (915 boxes/A), XPP 6001 (978 boxes/A) and 1819 (858 boxes/A). Some cultivars exhibited a physiological disorder called ‘stip’ (black spot or color spot). Stip appears when temperatures just above freezing occur for several nights at harvest. The cultivars which exhibited spotting were Paladin, Classic, Red Bull, Revolution, Camelot (worst), Aristotle, Patriot and Vanguard. The other problem observed in the fall study was fruit cracking. This results from nighttime relative humidity near saturation thus the fruit cannot expand rapidly and the fruit cracks. The cultivars observed with cracks were Paladin, Socrates, Aristotle and Hunter. These disorders would make the fruit unsalable for the market. Cultivars which were recommended to growers for their testing included Red Knight, King Arthur, Alliance, XPP 6001 and 1819.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: W.L. Kline, C.A. Wyenandt
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Kline, W. Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08332
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Wyenandt, C. Specialist in Vegetable Plant Pathology, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, New Jersey, 08302