Bell Pepper Variety Trials in Western North Carolina, Poster Board #341

Colored bell peppers are not a widely produced commercial crop in western North Carolina, but have the potential to be economically viable for producers in this area.  Two trials were conducted in 2010 and 2011 on a commercial pepper grower’s farm in Haywood County, NC.  Transplants were placed in the field using a randomized complete-block design, in double row plots, on black plastic mulch covered beds with drip irrigation.  Plants were supported with a stake and weave system.  Fertility and irrigation were managed using standard grower practices and following the recommendations from the North Carolina State Cooperative Extension Service.  Peppers were harvested and graded according to industry accepted grading standards at 3–4 times per season.  Varieties were chosen for unique color qualities for example red, yellow, orange and brown fruited types.  Some varieties changed from one season to the next depending upon acceptability and seed availability.  Alliance and Mecate produced the greatest amounts of jumbo grade peppers than other varieties in 2010, while Chesapeake and Red Lion produced significantly fewer jumbo peppers than other varieties.  In 2011, Mecate produced significantly great numbers of jumbo grade peppers than all other varieties.  Two varieties performed well with regard to total marketable yield in 2011, Bianca and Flamingo.  However, in this study year, Alliance and Karisma had the lowest total marketable yields.  A complete variety list, results and photographs will be presented.