Seedlings were transplanted onto black plastic mulch on June 6. Fruit were harvested from September 9 through October 10. This project was supported in part by seed company donations. Ripe fruit were harvested twice in September. While most varieties did not have statistically significant different yields their were significant differences in fruit size and number.
Several varieties yield fewer but larger fruit.
This should help growers reduce harvest costs. Varieties growers should consider trying are Enterprise, Figaro and Maestro. This project was supported in part by seed companies and the Ohio Vegetable and Small Fruit Research Development Fund. Each treatment was replicated four times in a scientific replicated block design. 1997 was the second year for this Mechanical Harvest Pepper trial.