Chilli Cultivars Research Articles

Yield and Quality of Machine Harvested Red Chile Peppers

In the southwestern U.S. growing region, which includes southern New Mexico, west Texas, and southeastern Arizona, mechanical harvest of chile peppers (Capsicum annuum) is increasing because of the high cost of hand labor. Mechanical harvesters have been developed, but there is limited information on the performance of chile cultivars when machine harvested. Four red chile pepper cultivars (New Mexico 6-4, Sonora, B-18, and B-58) were grown in a farmer's field near Las Cruces, N.M., and harvested in October 2000 using a double-helix-type harvester. Ethephon was applied 3 weeks before harvest at 1.5 pt/acre (1.75 L·ha-1) to promote uniform ripening. Ethephon caused fruit of `B-18' and `B-58' to drop before harvest, thereby affecting yield results. Treatment with ethylene-releasing compounds is not recommended for these cultivars. `Sonora' and `New Mexico 6-4'dropped much less fruit than `B-18' and `B-58' after the ethephon treatment. Dry weight marketable yield ranged from 1419 to 2589 lb/acre (1590.5 to 2901.8 kg·ha-1), and total yield potential (discounting dropped fruit) ranged from about 2500 to 3100 lb/acre (2802.1 to 3474.6 kg·ha-1), depending on cultivar. Harvest efficiencies of 73% to 83% were observed among the cultivars. Trash content of the harvested chile varied from 25% to 42% of dry weight. Trash was predominantly diseased and off-color fruit, leaves, and small stems. Trash content was highest for `Sonora'. `New Mexico 6-4' had the greatest marketable yield and harvest efficiency among the cultivars evaluated in this study.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOW CHILL BLACKCURRANTS FROM THE NEW ZEALAND BREEDING RPOGRAMME

HortResearch has been breeding blackcurrants since 1992. The current emphasis of the programme is on producing low chill cultivars suitable for the NZ climate. Blackcurrants are normally grown in regions of NZ which have average winter chilling of 1300 hours based on the 7 degreesC model. Incorporating gall mite resistance into low chill cultivars is an important objective. In the last 4 years, four cultivars have been released, McWhite, Torlesse, Murchison and Owen. McWhite and Torlesse are susceptible to gall mite (Cecidophyopsis ribis) but are high yielding and have good fruit quality characteristics. McWhite has strong colour, moderate acidity and moderate vitamin C levels. Torlesse has low acidity, moderate colour and Vitamin C levels. Murchison and Owen, after 3 years exposure to gall mite, remain resistant. Both Murchison and Owen fruit have moderate acidity, colour and vitamin C levels.

Comparative Performance of Local and Exotic Chilli Cultivars

Comparative Performance of Local and Exotic Chilli Cultivars

`NuMex Centennial' and `NuMex Twilight' Ornamental Chiles

Table 1. Characteristics in millimeters of ‘NuMex Centennial’ and ‘NuMex Twilight’ grown in 0.35-liter Fig. 1. ‘NuMex Centennial’ (top) and ‘NuMex Twilight’ (bottom). New Mexico State Univ. Agricultural Expt. Station announces the release of ‘NuMex Centennial’ and ‘NuMex Twilight’, ornamental piquin chiles (Capsicum annuum L.) (Bosland, 1992). Fruit ripens from purple, to yellow, then to orange, and lastly to red. The various fruit colors enhance their value as commercial greenhouse pot plants. These cultivars likely will be accepted favorably by the pot plant industry. Unlike standard chile cultivars that have a dichotomous growth pattern, the polychotomous branching of the basal branches makes these new cultivars ideal for pot plant production.

Mycorrhizal dependency of chilli cultivars

Summary Mycorrhizal dependency of six cultivars of chilli ( Capsicum annuum L.) viz. Byadagi, Dyavanur, Sankeshwar, G-3, Jawala and NP-46A was studied under glasshouse condition. Among all the cultivars, cv. Byadagi exhibited not only greatest mycorrhizal dependency but also highest shoot P concentration and yield followed by cv. Sankeshwar. The least mycorrhizal dependency was observed in cv. G-3.

BLIND NODES IN PEACH: ENVIRONMENTAL AND GENETIC PARAMETERS

Blind nodes in peach, the condition in which a node has no obvious vegetative or reproductive buds, is a problem in peach production in low and medium chill regions. Observations were made at 3 locations in Texas on peach cultivars which range in chilling requirement from 150 to 850 chill units. Four types of growing shoots (terminal or lateral shoot and east or west side) from peripheral canopy about 150-200 cm were sampled twice a month to determine the phonological development. Blind bud development was most frequent during the period of highest daily temperature and did not correspond with the position of the sample on a tree. High chilling cultivars showed greater susceptibility to the symptoms than low chilling cultivars. The anatomical differences between normal and blind nodes are described.

Abscission responses of petiolar explants ofCapsicum varieties to treatments with growth substances and their combinations

The abscission responses of petiolar explants of NP 46-A and Pusa jwala cultivars of chilli (Capsicum annuum L) to proximal and distal applications of growth substances were investigated. Ethephon, abscisic acid and ascorbic acid proved to be accelerants of abscission irrespective of age of explants and site of application. The synthetic auxin (naphthalene acetic acid) retarded abscission in younger explants regardless of the site of application but in the older explants proximal application of the auxin promoted abscission while distal application retarded the process. Gibberellic acid showed effects opposite to those caused by the auxin. The proximal application of gibberellic acid retarded abscission irrespective of age of explants while distal application effectively accelerated abscission. The cytokinin (benzyl adenine) and morphactin delayed abscission of petiolar explants on distal as well as proximal applications. The abscission responses to combinations of growth substances were highly variable depending on the age of explants, site of applications and varietal source of experimental material. The morphactin and benzyl adenine exhibited additive interaction in retarding the abscission up to such extent that ethephon and abscisic acid could only partially counteract their effects in combination of two growth substances. The auxin and gibberellin showed irregular and mixed interactions with other bioregulants studied.

The effect of leaf exudates on the spore germination of phylloplane mycoflora of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars

Ninetten aminoacids, twelve sugars, eleven organic acids and ten phenols were detected in the leaf exudates of three cultivars of chilli. The number of aminoacids, sugars, organic acids and phenols increased as the plants grew older. More aminoacids and sugars were detected in the exudate from the susceptible cultivar (Malwa). More organic acids and phenols were detected from the resistant cultivar (Simla). The leaf exudate of the resistant cultivar (Simla) inhibited spore germination of the pathogen (Alternaria solani) while that of susceptible (Malwa) stimulated spore germination. The cultivar ‘Patna’ which is moderately resistant, occupied an intermediate position. Spore germination of the isolated fungi was enhanced in leaf exudate of susceptible cultivar (Malwa), while leaf exudates of the moderately resistant (Patna) and resistant (Simla) inhibited spore germination of the majority of fungi isolated. Most of the antagonistic fungi were not isolated from the susceptible cultivar and the percentage spore germination of these fungi was less in leaf exudate of the susceptible cultivar, while leaf exudates of resistant cultivars enhanced the percentage spore germination of antagonistic fungi,viz Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, Penicillium citrinum, P. restrictum andTrichoderma viride.

Effect of root exudates on the spore germiantion of rhizosphere and rhizoplane mycoflora of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars

From root exudates of three cultivars of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) 12 amino acids and 7 sugars were detected. Methionine, d-1-β phenylalanine, citrulline and d-xylose were detected only from the root exudates of resdistant cultivars. The root exudates of resistant variety inhibited spore germination of the pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.capsici), but that of susceptible variety enhanced spore germiantion of the same. Spore germiantion of antagonistic fungi (Trichderma viride andAspergillus sydowi) was also influenced by the root exudates of resistant and susceptible varieties, but the influence was different.

Effect of Time of Planting on Growth and Yield of Red Chillies

Effect of time of planting on growth and yield attributes of three chilli cultivars was studied with six dates of planting. Growth parameters, yield components and yield were favourably influenced by August planting. October planting was not benificial. The results also indicated that the performance of different chili cultivars markadly variad when planted at different periods of the year.

Cold Hardiness of Peach and Nectarine Trees Growing at 29-30°N Latitude1

Abstract The cambium of both ‘Early Amber’ peach and ‘Sungold’ nectarine, Prunus persica L. Batsch gained cold hardiness from November through January even though day and night temperatures were above 15°C. Cultivars attained the greatest hardiness in January, surviving temperatures of -12°C. ‘Early Amber’ maintained its hardiness until just prior to bud break (February 8) and decreased thereafter. ‘Sungold’ remained somewhat resistant to cold until February 15 and gradually lost hardiness until March 8. Characteristically the low chilling cultivars reached an acclimation base higher than reported for cultivars adapted to higher latitudes.