PERFORMANCE OF WEST INDIAN HOT PEPPER CULTIVARS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

S. M. A. Crossman, M. C. Palada and A. M. Davis

No 256922, 34th Annual Meeting, July 12-18, 1998, Jamaica from Caribbean Food Crops Society

Abstract: "field potential of selected hot pepper (Capsicum chinense) cultivars were evaluated in three field experiments conducted from November 1997 to September 1998 in the Virgin Islands. The first experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and two trials were established (on-farm) in grower's fields. Five cultivars were evaluated at AES and both on-farm trials. Plants were spaced 0.60 m between plants within rows at all locations and 1.0 m between rows (AES) and 1.5 m (on-farm). Results of the AES trial indicated significant differences among cultivars for the measured parameters. 'West Indian Hot' produced the highest number (897,000) and fresh weight (7642 kg) of fruits per hectare in the AES trial which were both significantly higher than 'Red Scotch Bonnet' and 'Scotch Bonnet'. Additionally, 'Early Scotch Bonnet' also produced significantly more fruits (685,000 fruits/ha) than 'Scotch Bonnet'. 'Early Scotch Boimet' and 'Habanero' produced similar fruit yields. The higher yield from 'West Indian Hot' can be attributed to its longer duration of sustained production, reflecting a higher tolerance to viral infections, compared to the other cultivars. Results of the on-farm trials indicated that 'Yellow Scotch Bonnet' produced the highest number of fruits, but was not significantly different from 'Pink Scotch Bonnet'. Both cultivars produced fruit yields higher than 'Habanero'. 'Yellow Scotch Bonnet' was superior to the other cultivars in terms of fruit yield (16,973 kg/ha) significantly higher than the yield from all other cultivars. At the other farm location 'West Indies Red' was the most productive cultivar. The results of pungency analyses indicated that 'Chocolate Scotch Bonnet' produced the hottest peppers followed by Yellow and Pink Scotch Bonnets, and 'Habanero' from AES. 'West Indian Hot' was the mildest pepper. It appears that the Scotch Bonnet peppers are the most adapted and promising cultivars in the Virgin Islands. Additionally, 'West Indies Red' also has good potential for production in the Virgin Islands.

Keywords: Crop Production/Industries; Production Economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 10
Date: 1999-07-25
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:cfcs98:256922

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.256922

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