U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Wall, Marisaitem
                                            WALKER, S - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVitem
                                            WALL, A - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVitem
                                            Hughs, Sidneyitem
                                            PHILLIPS, R - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV
  Submitted to: HortTechnology
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2002
                                    Publication  Date: 6/20/2003
                                    Citation: Wall, M.M., Walker, S., Wall, A.D., Hughs, E., Phillips, R. 2003. Yield and quality of machine harvested red chile peppers. HortTechnology. 13(2):296-302.Interpretive Summary: In the southwest U.S. growing region, mechanical harvest of chile 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. The yield, harvest efficiency, and fruit quality of four red chile cultivars (used for paprika or mild red chile powder) were determined following mechanical harvest in southern New Mexico. The experiment was conducted on a grower's field near Las Cruces, N.M., and industry cooperators contributed harvesting and processing services. A fruit ripening agent was applied to the field, but caused fruit drop for two of the cultivars (B-18 and B-58), and is not recommended for these varieties. Harvest efficiencies of 73% to 83% were observed among the cultivars. A common local variety (New Mexico 6-4) had the greatest marketable yield and harvest efficiency among the cultivars evaluated in this study. These results were achieved using existing varieties, standard cultural practices, and minimal cleaning equipment. Machine performance was satisfactory and did not appear to limit harvest efficiency. The current focus of researchers and industry groups is on improving cleaning equipment, optimizing crop management, and breeding cultivars for mechanical harvest.
                                Technical Abstract: In the southwest U.S. growing region, which includes southern New Mexico, west Texas and southeast 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 Oct. 2000 using a double-helix-type harvester. Ethephon was applied 3 weeks before harvest at 1.75 L ha-1  to promote uniform ripening. Ethephon caused fruit of 'B-18' and 'B-58' to drop prior to harvest, thereby affecting yield results. Treatment with ethylene-releasing compounds is not recommended for these cultivars. The 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 1591 to 2902 kg ha-1, and total yield potential (discounting dropped fruit) ranged from about 2802 to 3475 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.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov