Blossom-end rot can be controlled by maintaining a uniform supply of moisture to the plant. Foliar sprays with certain fungicides at the onset of disease may be effective in controlling pod rots. Bacterial leafspot can affect all above ground parts of the plant including the fruit. Control by using only certified, disease-free seed, and spray plants with bordeaux or copper fungicides at the first sign of the disease. By field-setting transplants in late April or early May, after danger of frost, production can be advanced by at least three weeks and the number of harvests increased to five to seven.
Early production is possible by using row covers over field-planted chile for frost protection.
A row cover is a clear plastic tunnel stretched over low wire hoops and secured along the sides by burying the edges and ends with soil. Row covers, in combination with black plastic mulch, increase soil temperature, promote seedling growth, provide for weed control and conserve moisture. Planting early maturing varieties developed specifically for short growing areas of New Mexico can produce early yields and result in a high number of red pods. Valle Verde' is later maturing, but it is an outstanding producer of large, green, mild fruit. Cultivars responding to ethephon sprays are 'New Mexico No.