IDO
Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
- g IFAS, University of Florida
PTI 5007-60th Street East
Bradenton, Florida 34203
BdnnCU U Li.U R DeeY9
Bradenton GCREC Research Report BRA19843 D3 member 1984
BELL PEPPER VARIETY TIIAL, SPRING 1984
|F.A.SHri. of 'nV-. :V
Teresa K. Howe and ~WE.-'Iters-
A replicated fresh market sweet bell pepper variety trial was conducted
at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Bradenton, Florida to
evaluate the yield and quality of various commercial cultivars during the
spring of 1984. In conjunction with the replicated trial, an observational
area of single plots was estahl ished to screon other commercial. cultivars
and advance bhroodin lines.
Materials and Methods
Field preparation for the spring 1984 trial began in April 1983. Since
the land (an Eau Gallie fine sand) had not been farmed in 25 years, the
soil was treated in April 1983 with 1200 lb./acre superphosphate (0-20-0)
containing 80 lbo/ton micronutrients as 503 oxide and 2 tons/acre dolomite.
Beds were formed the following February and were not fumigated. A single
band of 18-0-25 fertilizer was applied down the center of the bed at the
rate of 24.3 lb./100 linear ft. of bed. Incorporated top dressing across
the full surface of the beds included 18-0-25 (1 lb./100 linear ft.), high
calcium lime (8.1 lb.100 linear ft.) and 34-0-0 (1 lb.100 linear ft.).
Beds were covered with black plastic mulch.
Seed of 10 cultivars were sown on December 15, 1983 in wooden flats containing
SAF-T-BLAST(R) (Mineral Aggregates9 Inc.) a processed product of spent
coal. Seedlings were transplanted 22 days later into TODD(R) Planter flats
(Model #150) containing peat and vermiculite (1:1) amended with dolomite
(1.7 lb.), superphosphate (9.0 oz) and Micromax(R) (1.8 oz), all per 0.1
cubic yard of media. Transplants were set in the field on February 20,
1984. Severe weather conditions warranted some resetting on March 5, 1984.
Plants were set in two rows per bed with 12-inch spacing between plants
and rows. Four replicates of 40 plants per plot were arranged in a randomized
complete block design. Observational plots were unreplicated, single blocks
of 30 plants per block. Registered pesticides ware applied routinely for
disease control and as needed based upon results of. scouting twice weekly
for insect control. Fruits were harvested on May' 10, .17, 24, and June
4, 1984, and handled as in 1983 (1, 2). Additionally, data were taken
on:fruit dimensions and shape. Prevailing weather conditions during spring
1984 are in Table 1.
Results and Discussion
Weather conditions were adverse in the spring' 1984 season. Plants were
affected in late February and early March by strong winds, cool temperatures,
and rain. Daily wind run readings between February 26 and 29 were 168.9,
153.7, 136.4 and 100.5 mpd (miles per day) with low temperatures in the
30's and 40's (F) for 3 of 5 nights. This was accompanied by 0.96 inches
of rain. Daily wind run readings between March 4 and 8 were 106.1, 148.4,
151.5, and 91.6 mpd with low temperatures in the 40's (F) for 3 of 5 nights.
Probably as a result of the adverse weather, marketable yields in 1984
were lower, cull production higher, and fruit weight lower when compared
to the trial conducted in 1983 (1, 2). A comparison of cultivars common
to both 1983 and 1984 are discussed elsewhere (1).
Top yielding cultivars in the spring of 1984 included 'Gator Belle', 'Crispy',
'Pro Bell', 'Bell Boy', and 'Lady Bell' which were not significantly different
from each other in marketable yield. The greatest number of fruit per
plant came from 'Crispy' (10.0) and 'Gator Belle' (9.9), significantly
different from 'Hybelle', 'Annabelle', 'Early Calwonder', and 'Big Bertha'.
'Big Bertha' produced the largest fruit and 4.9 oz, which had an average
length of 4.1 inches and was significantly larger than all other cultivars.
The blockiest fruit were produced by 'Annabelle' and 'Early Calwonder'
as determined by fruit length to width ratio. The number of lobes per
fruit ranged from 3.3 to 2.8. Marketable yields for each harvest date
are in Tables 3-6. Greatest yields from all cultivars occurred at the
first harvest. There were few significant differences among the entries
at that time. Yield performance of .the cultivars differed more at the
second harvest when 'Gator Belle', 'Lady Belle', 'Crispy', 'Bell Boy',
'Hybelle' and 'Better Belle', which were not significantlydifferent from
each other, gave the greatest marketable yields. On May 24, 'Crispy' produced
the highest marketable yield and was significantly separated from all other
entries. At the last harvest, 'Gator Belle' was significantly greater
in yield than all cultivars except 'Crispy' and 'Pro Bell'.
On May 7, the number of fruit produced per plant by 'Bell Boy' and 'Pro
Bell' (3.7/plant) was only significantly different from 'Early Calwonder'
and 'Big Bertha'. The later harvests had comparable but lower numbers
of fruit produced per plant. The range was generally between 1 and 2 fruit
per plant.
Average fruit weight at the first harvest ranged from 5.7 oz ('Early Calwonder')
to 4.9 oz ('Lady Bell', 'Crispy', and 'Bell Boy'). 'Early Calwonder' fruit
was significantly larger than 10 other cultivars. At the second harvest,
fruit weight ranged from 5.7 oz ('Big Bertha') to 4.2 oz ('Hybelle').
There was no significant difference among the cultivars smaller than 5.7
oz. There were no significant differences among cultivars in fruit weight
for the third and fourth harvests.
Cull production was the lowest at the first harvest and ranged from 5.5%
by weight to 30.3% ('Bell Boy' and 'Big Bertha', respectively). By May
17, cull production rose to a range of 13.5% to 56.7% for 'Pro Bell' and
'Big Bertha', respectively. Cull percentages for May 24 and June 4 were
similar to the second harvest. 'Big Bertha' maintained the greatest cull
production at each harvest.
The trends in the number of fruit per carton reflected the average fruit
weight at each harvest since the pack out calculation was based on average
fruit weight. The observational areas, which as previously explained were
unreplicated, single plots, were also harvested, graded and weighed. Table
7 contains information from the entries examined. No statistical analysis
was possible however the data is included as an indicator of which entries
may warrant further study.
References
1. Howe,
Spring
T. K. and W.
1983 and 1984.
E. Waters. 1984. Bell pepper cultivar trials:
Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 97: in press.
2. Howe, T. K. and W. E. Waters. 1984. Bell pepper variety trial, Spring
1983. Bradenton AREC Reooarch Report BRA 1984-2. 8.pp.
Table 1. Mean temperatures and total rainfall at
the Gulf Coast Research Education Center
during the 1984 pepper trials.
Month (dates)
February (20-2
March
April
May
Average Daily
Temperature
Max.
i9) 75.6
76.3
80.4
87.5
June (1-4) 83.8 56.0
(OF)
Min.
52.9
52.8
58.1
64.9
Rainfall
(inches)
1.73
3.65
2.15
2.38
Table 2, lield mad perforCance for pepper mcultivars for entire season. (Harvests on May 7, 17, 24 and Jtne 4, 1984.)
Marketable Yield
(cartons/100
lin. ft.)z
Fruit/Plant
Avg. Fruit
Weight (Oz.)
No. FruitY
CullsY(%) per car-tn
G(toe Ball,
Crispy
PMo B11ll
Eill Boy
adyB ell
Better EBelle
t' r.n ..e -,
Early Calwarner
Big Bertha
Peto
Burpeo
Twilley
Peto
Harris
Ball
earris
harris
Asgrw.
Ball
223.4 ax
210.3 ab
199.0 a-c
197.1 a-c
188.2 a-d
175.5 b-e
173.2 c-e
154.4 de
149.4 ef
1201. f
9.9 ab
10.0 a
9.0 a-c
9.3 a-c
9.1 a-c
8.2 b-d
8.1 cd
7.0 d
6.5 d
4.9 e
4.5 b
4.2 c
4.4 be
4.3 be
4.1 c
4.3 be
4.3 be
4.4 be
4.6 b
4.9 a
11.0 d
14.2 ed
14.8 cd
15.6 ca
17.8 b-d
20.2 be
40.1 bc
19.9 be
25.8 b
22.1 a
SCa-tk~ = 25 lbs. of fruit. Acre = 9680 linear feet of bed; approc. 19,360 plans/A.
Y On weig?.t basis.
^ lvsaw. separation. t- I 1'< ailtiple rags t3stq, r. level.
Source
Fruit
Length
(Inches)
Fruit
Diameter
(Inches)
Number
Lobes
88.3 be
95.2 a
90.1 ab
94.0 ab
96.4 a
94.0 ab
93.6 ab
90.5 ab
87.7 be
82.4 c
3.3 be
3.3 be
3.5 b
3.2 c
3.4 be
3.5 b
3.5 be
3.3 be
3.5 be
4.1 a
2.9 c
2.9 c
2.9 be
2.9 be
2.9 be
2.9 be
2.9 be
3.1 ab
3.2 a
3.0 be
3.3 a
3.2 a
3.4 a
3.3 a
2.9 ab
2.8 b
2.8 b
3.1 ab
3.1 ab
2.9 ab
___.____ I~__U_
_1~~1~_~ _ I ____~II~
Cultive
Table 3. Yielad and perfor:?ne cf popper cultivars at first harvest. (Harvest on May 7, 1984.)
Marketable Yield
(cartons/I 000
Cultivar lin. ft.)z
Fruit/Plant
Avg. Fruit
Weight (Oz.)
CullsY(%)
No. FruitY
per carton
Pro Bell
Gator Pelle
Bell Boy
Crispy
Annabelle
Lady E:ll
Better Belle
Hybelle
Early Calwonder
Big Bertha
z Carton = 25 lbs. of fruit. Acre = 9680 linear
Y On a weight basis.
x Mean separation by Duncan's multiple range tesl
feet of bed; approx. 19,360 plants/A.
b, 5% level.
97.7
89.7
89.5
34.6
80.3
80.1
79.1
S74.0
73.4
58.7
3.7
3.4
3.7
3.4
3.0
3.2
3.1
3.0
2.6
2.1
a
ab
a
ab
a-c
ab
ab
a-c
be
c
C
5.2
5.4
4.9
4.9
5.4
4.9
5.1
5.0
5.7
5.6
be
ab
d
cd
ab
cd
b-d
b-d
a
a
5.7
6.7
5.5
6.3
10.5
11.8
9.8
10.7
12.4
30.3
cd
b-d
d
ed
b-d
bc
b-d
b-d
b
a
79.2
74.8
82.1
81.3
75.0
81.0
79.3
79.9
70.6
71.3
Irl I _ I~_ _
Table 4. Tiald and porTform.:-e of pepper cultivars at second harvest. (Harvest on MWy 17, 1984.)
Marketable Yield
(cartons/1000
lin. ft.)z
Fruit /i&lsnt
Avg. Fruit
Weight (Oz.)
CullsY(M)
No. FruitY
per carton
Gator Bslle
Lady Bll
Crispy
Bell Boy
Hybelle
Batter ECol0
Pro Bell
Annabelle
Early Calwonder
Big Bertha
z Carton = 25 lbs. of fruit.
Y On a weight basis.
x Mean separation by Duncan's
Acre = 9680 linear feet of bed; approx. 19,360 plants/A.
multiple range test, 5% level.
Cultivar
55.6
52.1
45 5
44.1
43.1
39.3
29,6
28.2
28.1
2.2
2.4
2.2
1.8
2.1
1.9
1.7
1.4
1.3
1.0
5.1
4.3
405
5.2
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.4
4.5
5.7
16.8
22.6
21.0
22.1
28.9
r0n7
13.5
28.3
43.1
56.7
77.8
92.4
90.0
81.3
96.3
91.4
87.5
91.9
90.7
71.6
be
ab
ab
a-c
a
ab
a-c
ab
ab
c
I_ I IC~_Lm~II~_I_ __~UI
~___ __ __I__ __ I I_
Table 5. Yield and performance of pepper cultivars for third harvest. (Harvest on May 24, 1984.)
Marketable Yield
(cartons/1000 lin. ft.)z
Fruit/Plant
Avg. Fruit
Weight (Oz.)
Culls (%)
No. Fruitzy
per carton
Crispy
Gator Belle
Hybelle
Bell Boy
Early Calwonder
Pro Bell
Annabelle
Lady Bell
Better Belle
Big Bertha
ZCarton= 25 lbs. of fruit. Acre
= 9680 linear feet of bed; approx. 19,360 plants/A.
YOn a weight basis.
XMean separation by Duncan's multiple range test, 5% level.
Cultivar
39.6 a:
31.0 b
29.0 b
28.3 b
26.8 b
26.7 b
26.2 b
24.5 b
23.1 b
15.3 c
2.2
1.7
1.4
1.6
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.3
0.8
3.'6 a
3.7 a
5.1 a
3.5 a
3.7 a
3.6 a
3.5 a
3.3 a
3.7 a
3.7 a
15.7 be
11.6 c
26.9 ab
16.5 be
20.8 be
26.6 ab
24.0 a-c
17.0 bc
21.7 a-c
36.0 a
112.5 a
107.9 a
98.1 a
116.6 a
108.8 a
112.6 a
115.8 a
120.9 a
110.2 a
109.2 a
-- -- I- -- -- I- -- --
- -~-- -- s J I
Table 6. Yield and performance of pepper cultivars for fourth harvest. (Harvest on June 4, 1934.)
Marketable Yield Avg. Fruit No. FruitZy
Cultivar (cartons/1000 lin. ft.)z Fruit/Plant Weight (Oz.) CullsY(%) per carton
Gator Belle 47.2 ax 2.7 a 3.5 a 11.2 c 112.8 a
Crispy 37.7 ab 2.2 ab 3.4 a 16.0 bc 117.0 a
Pro Bell 35.3 ab 2.0 a-c 3.5 a 26.7 a-c 115.2 a
Bell Boy 33.8 bc 2.2 ab 3.2 a 25.5 a-c 127.8 a
Lady Bell 31.5 b-d 2.0 a-c 3.2 a 24.0 a-c 124.8 a
Better Bello 30.3 b-d 1.9 a-d 3.3 a 25.6 a-c 124.1 a
Hybelle 26.2 h-d 1.6 b-e 3.2 a 29.6 ab 125.0 a
Early Calwonjer 21.0 cd 1.2 c-e 3.4 a 38.6 a 119.8 a
Annabelle 18.2 d 1.1 de 3.3 a 33.5 ab 122.2 a
Big Bertha 18.0 d 1.0 e 3.6 a 34.5 ab 110.9 a
z Carton = 25 lbs. of fruit.
Y On a weight basis.
x Mean separation by Duncan's
Acre = 9680 linear feet of bed; approx. 19,360 plants/A.
multiple range test, 5% level.
Thale 7. Pepper Oboervatic-L Trial, C ng 1924.
IMrketable Yield
0cltvar/ (cartons/iCO Avg. Fruit No. EuitY
Source Ers die TL. lin. ft.)z Fri-t/lant Wit (Oz.) Culls(Z) per cartcn
Abbott & Cobb
Ferry-Morse
Glosecker
Harris
ACX-8247 01
ACX-828434
Green- Belej
Liberty Belle
Pip
Shamrock
Sharina
Skip2r
ITH-5017
XPHr-501 8
)RH-5019
XPH-5aG20
Bell 3tar
Big Be1le
Four CGrmnrs
Mission Belle
Gold Chimes
Golden Goliath
Golden Princess
Super Star
22.4 2.9
6.0
9.3
9.9
12.0
9.8
8.5
5.9
5.4
6.9
8.4
8.2
8.3
7.7
9.1
6.6
9.8
10.2
5.5
4.2
3.7
3.9
4.9
5.5
2.6
4.5
4.0
4.9
4.0
4.3
4.8
4.9
4.2
4.4
4.6
73
95
107
101
82
73
153
89
100
81
101
93
83
82
95
91
88
12.8
16.7
13.8
21.0
18.9
13.7
39.4
29.5
21.2
13-2
27.1
16.0
21.9
9.9
18.9
10.4
10.9
19.6
27.6
33.6
14.7
18.4 134
Key Ileco
Table 7, continued.
Moran
ar'. rap King
?an A
S&G
Mh.i1ey
Grande FPo 66
NCX 4013
Jupiter
W-3102
NVH-3050
h~'F-3051R
IVH-3052
Block .jter
Bell TO -Oer
P1001
Pi745
P1745
P1750
Bell Dey
Pro Be llI
z Carton = 25 lbs. of fruit. Acre = 980 linar feet of bod; apprcx.
19,360 pants/A.
Y On weiit basis.
,92
103
150
163
161
188
150
173
233
169
155
1D
185
167
4,0
5.0
5.9
7.5
7.8
8.7
7,4
7.4
11.0
6.5
6.1
7.3
9.3
7.1
4.6
4.2
5.1
4.4
4.1
4.3
4.0
46
4.2
5.2
5.1
4.9
4.0
4.7
33.3
26.6
30.5
20.9
27.5
18,9
17.4
15.0
10.3
14.0
16.6
11.4
4.7
14.5
12.3
14.7
_ ___l____l___rr____NW__~~-LN-~--h-i~C
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