A simple key to identifying the five domesticated species of Capsicum may be found on page 1996 of "Peppers of the World--an Identification Guide" by Dave DeWitt and Paul W. Bosland, Ten Speed Press, PO Box 7123, Berkeley, CA 97407.

C. annuum is the most important domesticated species in the U.S.A. and is the species to which all bell peppers, and all the peppers listed below belong (unless specified otherwise.) The only C. frutescens pepper of any significance is Tabasco. The Tabasco pepper is difficult to cross with C. annuum types. Hot peppers may belong to any of above species and others. The C. chinense varieties Habanero and Scotch Bonnet are considered the hottest.

The interest in peppers extends to their nutritive and medicinal value in that peppers are a recognized source of Vitamins C and E and are high in antioxidants. These compounds are associated with prevention of cardiovascular disorders, cancers, and cataracts.

Peppers are a warm-season crop and need a long season for maximum production. Temperature has a large effect on the rate of plant and fruit growth and the development and quality of the red or yellow pigments. Ideal temperature for red pigment development is between 65 and 75 F. Above this range the red color becomes yellowish, and below it color development slows dramatically and stops completely below 55 F.

Many excellent pepper varieties are available. Test several and select the ones that do well under your production system, and meets your market needs.

Pacific Northwest pepper growers may improve their chances for successful pepper production by using raised beds ( to improve drainage), by using plastic mulches (to warm the soil and control weeds), and drip irrigation (to promote uniform moisture and fertilizer delivery), and by staking plants (to reduce plant breakage and disease -- improves air movement). These practices are especially important when the goal is to produce colored peppers (red, yellow, orange etc.) which have greater quality requirements and higher values, and take longer to mature (see appropriate sections below).

BELL PEPPER VARIETIES (approximately 60-70 days to first harvest from transplants):

Bell (green): Bell King, North Star, Lady Bell, Jupiter, Park's Early Thickset, Bell Tower, Bell Captain, Mayata, Melody, Ace Hybrid, Cardinal, Summersweet. Research in the Hermiston area indicates that Jupiter, Bell Tower, Belmont, Galaxy, and Skipper performed well. For trial: Camelot, Merlin, Skipper, Yankee Bell, Cubico, Abbott & Cobb 840, 850, 860,870, 880, 890; Admiral, Allidian, Acapulco, Elisa, Figaro, Gypsy, King Arthur, Mandarin, Predi, Sterling, Stiletto (resistant to tomato spotted wilt virus).

Note: In 1992, Yankee Bell produced the highest proportion of 4-lobed, blocky peppers. Their plant growth is more open; not as many peppers were misshapen due to growing among branches and being confined between other fruit.

Bell (Red): Many green bell peppers turn red when fully mature. However, the early, large-fruited, thick-walled varieties demanded by the market are rare. Temperatures during coloring play a major role in the uniformity and rate of color development. Cool fall temperatures may slow, or may completely stop color development. Select varieties that transition from green to red quickly, with little or no transitional purple stage.

Research at O.S.U. and from British Columbia indicates that Lady Bell, La Bamba, Four Corners, Merlin, Ace Hybrid, Bellboy, and Cardinal performed well. Four Corners and Merlin also had thick-walls. For trial: Melody, North Star, Vidi and Predi. In 1994, Yankee Bell and Peto Wonder were noted to have some chocolate-colored fruit as fruit turned from green to red.

Bell (yellow): Golden Belle, Golden Cal Wonder, and Astro (all are bright yellow), Klondike Bell (early, high yield, has an orange tinge), Honey Bell, Orobelle (orange-yellow). For trial: Marengo (Lamuyo type) and Summer Sweet (both turn yellow or orange- yellow quickly).

Bell (orange): Corona (performed best in OSU trials in '92), Valencia (in '94), Oriole (best in trials in British Columbia), Ori. For trial: Ariane.

Purple, chocolate, and white bell peppers (see list below). These are intermediate colors lasting 7-10 days then turning red.

Note: Many of the red, yellow and orange peppers found in the market are greenhouse-grown from varieties specially developed for greenhouse production.

Bell pepper for greenhouse production
Green or red fruit for specialty markets (for trial only): Cubico, Plutona.
Yellow fruit: Golden Belle, Marengo, Orobelle.
Orange fruit: Ariane, Valencia.

ETHEPHON FOR COLORED PEPPERS

When colored peppers are desired, a foliar spray of ethephon (Ethrel) may be used to promote early, uniform ripening and coloring, or to ripen the partially ripe fruit remaining at the end of the harvest season. The effectiveness of Ethephon is highly dependent on ambient temperature. Check the Ethephon label for complete instructions and regulations.

Plant size and the cover provided the fruit is important in reducing risk from sunburn. This risk may also be reduced by selecting plant population density and row spacings that allow for good fruit cover.

HOT PEPPERS AND PUNGENCY RATINGS

The most common sensory method to determine pungency in peppers has been an organoleptic test (Scoville, a dilution-taste procedure) with results expressed as Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The validity and accuracy of it have been widely criticized. The American Spice Trade Association and the International Organization for Standardization have adopted a modified version. The American Society for Testing and Materials is considering other organoleptic tests (the Gillett method) and a number of chemical tests to assay for capsaicinoids involved in pungency (see Chile Pungency. Still, the values obtained by the various tests are often related to Scoville Heat Units. For more information on chile peppers, see The Chile Pepper Institute.

A "National Fiery Foods Show" is held annually in Albuquerque, NM. For more information call 505/873-2187.

Category, type of fruit attachment and pungency range:

Variety name            Color Stages        Pungency      Remarks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bell, 3.5"X4.5", fruit pendant, pungency 0-100 Scoville Heat Units
(SHU)
Bell King               green to red         sweet        early
Bell Captain            green to red         sweet        thick walls
Bell Tower              green to red         sweet        smooth
Bellboy                 green to red         sweet        thick wall
Bellestar               green to red         sweet        smooth
Bonanza                 green to red         sweet        vigorous 
Calif. Wonder 300       green to red         sweet        late, thick
Cardinal                green to red         sweet        thick wall
Cubico                  green to red         sweet                
Four Corners            green to red         sweet        good shape
Jupiter                 green to red         sweet        large, mid 
Lady Bell               green to red         sweet        early
Mayata                  green to red         sweet        v.lg. fruit
Midway                  green to red         sweet        early
Mission Belle           green to red         sweet        v. smooth
Parks Early Thickset    green to red         sweet        early  
Parks Whopper           green to red         sweet        med.   
Pip                     green to red         sweet        large
Predi                   green to red         sweet        lg. 4-lobe stuffer 
Ringer                  green to red         sweet        large, mid
Skipper                 green to red         sweet        smooth
Sweet Belle             green to red         sweet        mid 
Goldie                  yellow to red        sweet        early
Gypsy                   yellow to red        sweet        early
Yellow Belle            yellow to red        sweet        early
Admiral                 green to yellow      sweet        blocky
Early Bountiful         green to yellow      sweet
Golden Summer           green to yellow      sweet        thick wall
Golden Cal. Wonder      green to yellow      sweet        thick wall
Golden Bell             green to yellow      sweet        early
Inia                    green to yellow      sweet        thick wall
Klondike Bell           green to yellow      sweet        early, thick wall
Orobelle                green to yellow      sweet        thick wall
Summer Sweet 820        green to yellow      sweet
Golden Crest            gr to orng-yellow    sweet
Quadrato d'Oro          gr to orng-yellow    sweet
Ariane                  green to orange      sweet        large, thick
Corona                  green to orange      sweet        large, thick
Kerala                  green to orange      sweet        large, thick
Oriole                  green to orange      sweet        large, thick
Salsa RZ                green to orange      sweet        large, thick
Super Stuff             yellow to orange     sweet        early 
Valencia                yellow to orange     sweet        early, thick
Wonderbelle             yellow to orange     sweet        
Lorelei                 purple then red      sweet        small
Purple Beauty           purple then red      sweet        small
Purple Belle            purple then red      sweet        small
Violetta                purple then red      sweet        small
Blue Jay                gr-lavender to red   sweet
Islander                gr-lavender to red   sweet
Lilac                   gr-lavender to red   sweet
Chocolate Bell          gr to chocolate      sweet        large fruit
Mulato                  gr to chocolate      sweet    
Sweet Chocolate         gr to chocolate      sweet        small fruit
Albino                  gr to white to red   sweet        small
Dove                    gr to white to red   sweet        small
Ivory                   gr to white to red   sweet

Elongated Bell; (lamuyo type fruit) 3.5"x5"; pendant, pungency 0-100
SHU:
Blue Star               green to red         sweet        large, late
Elisa                   green to red         sweet        mid
Marengo                 green to yellow      sweet
Melody                  green to red         sweet        early
Signet                  green to yellow      sweet        early

Anaheim; fruit 2"x7"; pendant, pungency 500-3,500 SHU (most 500-1000
SHU):
Anaheim TMR             light green to red   mild
Anaheim M               light green to red   warm
Coronado                light green to red   warm
New Mexico 64L          light green to red   mild
NuMex Conquistador      light green to red   sweet        for paprika 
Volcano                 light green to red   hot

Poblano/ancho; fruit heart-shaped 3"-4" x 4"-7"; pendant, 1,000-2,000
SHU. 
The poblano pepper is a major type grown in Mexico, used green, red or
dried (called ancho when dried).  It is commonly used for chiles
rellenos:
Ancho 101               dark green to red    mild         thick wall 
Esmeralda               dark green to red    mild         thick wall
New Mexican             dark green to red    mild         thick wall
Poblano                 dark green to red    warm         thick wall  
Verdano                 dark green to red    warm         thick wall   


Elongated, tapered;  fruit variable shapes and sizes; pendant, 0-1000
SHU:
Banana Supreme          green to yellow      sweet        early
Canape                  green to yellow      sweet        early
Cuban                   yel-grn:red orange   warm
Cubanelle               yel-grn:red orange   mild         long fruit
Hungarian Wax           grnish yel:yellow    warm
Sweet Banana            grnish yel:yellow    sweet

Cherry; about 1" diameter; upright, 100-5,000 SHU:
Cascabel                green to red         hot
Large Red Cherry        green to red         warm
Sweet Cherry            green to red         warm

Cayenne; fruit 0.5"x3"; pendant, 30,000-50,000 SHU. A favorite in
Creole and Cajun cooking:
Large Red Thick         green to bright red  fiery        slender 
Long Slim               green to bright red  fiery        slender
Carolina Cayenne        green to bright red  fiery     
Charlston Hot           grn to orange to red fiery        to 4" long
Super Cayenne           grn to bright red    fiery        long slender

Jalapeño; fruit 1.5"x3"; pendant, 2,500-5000 SHU.  The most common
hot chili grown in the U.S.A.:
Jalapa                  green to red         hot          blunt cylind.
Jalapeño M              green to red         very hot     thick wall
Jalapeño Hot            green to red         hot          smooth
Mitla hybrid            green to red         hot          thick, blunt cyl.
Tam Jalapeño #1         green to red         hot          thick wall

Others

Pepperoncini; fruit 1"x2"; pendant, 200-500 SHU:
Pepperoncini                pale grn to yel      mild         twisted, wrinkled
Pepperoncini Italian        pale grn to yel      mild
Pepperoncini Greek Golden   yellow               mild

Pepperoncini is used primarily for pickling and is harvested at the green to yellow 
stage, before full maturity.  Information from trials in Louisiana (Louisiana Coop.
Ext. Service Publ. 2433) suggests 12 to 18-inch spacing between plants, 70 days 
planting to harvest.  It is harvested with stems attached and has a harvest interval
of 2-3 days.  Yields are 4,000 to 6,000 lb/acre.  A skilled worker can harvest 
25-30 lb/hour.  Over a 60-90 day harvest period, the labor requirement to harvest an 
acre would be about 240 hours.

Pimento; fruit 1.5"x2.5"; pendant, 0-100 SHU:
Pimento L               green to red         sweet        thick wall

Serrano; fruit 0.5"x2.25"; pendant, 5,000-10,000 SHU:
Serrano types           dark green to red    very hot     small 

Tabasco C. frutescens; fruit 0.25"x 1.25";pendant, 30,000-50,000 SHU:
Tabasco                 yel-orange to red    fiery        small  

Habanero (C. chinense) a fiery-hot, box-shaped small pepper 
turning from  green to orange, red, yellow or white when ripe.  
Although the Habanero pepper has been listed as being the hottest of
all peppers, some rated at 200,000 to 300,000 SHU, not all Habaneros 
are hot!  Hot Habanero peppers are used to make hot bottled sauces. 
They are grown mainly in Central America and Yucatan. Other extremely 
hot C. chinense peppers include Scotch Bonnet (yellow), and
Bahamian.

Novelty, ornamental:
Marbles (prolific round, mix of green, yellow and red fruit)
Riot (prolific upright long fruit, mix of green, yellow and red).  

SOIL

Peppers grow best on well-drained, moderately fertile soils. Use a soil test to determine fertilizer and liming requirements. Peppers grow best at soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Adjust soil pH to near neutral (7.0) for maximum yields.

To reduce risk from Verticillium wilt and other diseases avoid using fields in your rotation plans in which eggplant, tomato, pepper, potato, strawberry or caneberries have been planted.

SEED AND SEED TREATMENT

Pepper seed numbers approximately 72,000 per pound. Bell peppers are not normally direct seeded and this practice is not recommended for Western Oregon. Use high quality, fungicide treated seed in the production of transplants. Some seed companies now offer "vigorized' or "conditioned" seed which has better germination under cool soil conditions. Peppers are sensitive to damping-off.

In direct-seeded plantings a pop-up fertilizer solution may be helpful. Spray directly on the seed a solution of 2-6-0 at 1 pint per 100 lineal feet of row (use 1/2 this rate on sandy soils). A 2-6-0 solution is equivalent to 1 part of 10-34-0 liquid fertilizer diluted with 4 parts of water.

TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS

Pepper is a warm-temperature vegetable and requires a long growing season. Transplants which are grown should be kept close to the following temperatures: Days:65-85 F. Nights: 60-65 F. Temperatures above 95 F may result in flower bud drop. Highest yields are obtained when soil temperatures remain in the 70-75 F range. Soil temperatures below 68 F may result in substantial yield reductions.

The use of clear plastic mulch applied over herbicide treated soil, or black plastic mulch, or the new IRT (wavelength-selective) mulch is strongly recommended.

A few peppers are grown in greenhouses. The varieties Bellboy, Blue Star and Mogador are reported to tolerate cool temperatures that sometimes occur in off-season greenhouse production.

TRANSPLANT PRODUCTION AND TRANSPLANTING

It takes between 3 and 4 ounces of seed to produce enough plants for an acre. Seeds should be planted in a heated greenhouse 6 to 8 weeks before the field transplanting date. When growing transplants in unheated greenhouses, cold frames or field transplant beds, 8 to 14 weeks may be necessary. Seedlings are transplanted to other flats when the first true leaves are l.5 inches long and spaced 2 to 2.5 inches apart in the greenhouse or plant bed. At all times handle pepper seedlings with care because they are easily broken or damaged. Harden transplants for about a week before transplanting to the field by reducing moisture and maintaining a temperature of 55 to 65 F. This will give resistance to wilting and sunscald.

Transplant spacing and exposure to light and temperature have a major effect on transplant vegetative growth and quality. Avoid crowding, provide adequate light, and use minimal night temperatures to reduce risk of spindly growth.

Apply a starter fertilizer solution to the transplants when transplanting to the field. Select starter fertilizers that have the highest level of phosphorus available, such as 10-52-17, 11-48-0, 11-55-0 dry fertilizers or 10-34-0 liquid fertilizer. Make up a stock solution of 3 lbs of the dry, such as 10-52-17, or 2 pints of liquid 10-34-0 per 50 gallons of water. Use 1/2 pint of of this stock solution per plant, applying the solution directly to the plant roots when setting in the field. You will need about 13 fifty-gallon batches to transplant an acre.

Depth of transplanting has normally been to the top of the roots or root ball. Research from Florida with the variety Jupiter suggests that pepper transplants may benefit from being set deeper, up to the first true leaf. Thirty days after transplanting, plants planted to the first true leaf had more leaves, greater plant dry weight, more blooms and less lodging than transplants planted to the cotyledons or to the top of the root ball. Other data from Pennsylvania suggest caution however. Soil temperature and moisture would be important considerations.

Greenhouse peppers are sown October through February for harvest of red fruit approximately 5 months later, March through July.

SPACING

Space rows, or pairs of rows about 18-36 inches apart. Plants should be 12-l8 inches apart in the row and between pairs of rows, depending on method of transplanting and transplanter capability. These spacings represent a plant population of from 10,000 to 29,000 per acre

Where sunscald may be a problem, the risk of sunscald can be reduced by using paired rows and closer spacings between rows and plants.

Leave roadways across the field at about 150 foot intervals to facilitate carrying pails of peppers to collection locations if a harvester aid and bulk loading is not used.

When using plastic mulch, plant 2 rows of peppers per mulch strip, using 36 inch-wide plastic. Space plastic strips 5-6 feet apart. Use drip irrigation tubing under the plastic mulch between the two pepper rows, with drip emitters at 9-inch spacing down the row.

In greenhouse production, allow 3.0 to 3.5 square feet/plant. Plants are pruned to a 2-stem training system. After 10-12 leaves have developed, the plant forks, and a flower develops at the fork. Two or three branches are produced, of which the two strongest are chosen for further production. These must be supported by a string or post, and all subsequent branches removed after the 2nd leaf. Restrict fruit set on the two stems until at least 3 or 4 leaf axils have formed or stem growth and subsequent fruit set will be greatly reduced.

FERTILIZER

A soil test is the most accurate guide to fertilizer requirements. The following recommendations are general guidelines for loamy soils or when organic matter exceeds 2.5 %:

Nitrogen: 100-150 lb N/acre. The use of ammonium N sources may aggravate blossom-end rot by interfering with calcium uptake.

Sidedress with 35-50 lb N/acre after the first flowers are set. Where mulching and trickle irrigation are practiced, additional nitrogen can be fed through the trickle irrigation system at l5 lb/acre when the first fruit begins to set and an additional l5 lb/acre four weeks after. To prevent clogging or plugging from occurring, use soluble forms of N (urea or ammonium nitrate) and chlorinate the system once a month with a l0 to 50 ppm chlorine solution. Chlorinate more frequently if the flow rate decreases.

Phosphate: 100-150 (P2O5) lb/acre

Potash: 100-200 (K2O) lb/acre depending on soil test. When K is adequate, excess K has been reported (Florida '94) to reduce wall thickness without increasing yield.

Sulfur: 30-35 (S) lb/acre

pH: Add lime if below 6.0

GROUND MULCHES AND ROW COVERS

The use of clear plastic mulch applied over herbicide-treated soil, or black plastic ground mulch, is recommended. The use of ground mulch increases soil temperature, conserves soil moisture, and controls weeds, increasing yields and is strongly recommended especially for production in western Oregon. For black plastic mulch to increase soil temperature, it is critical that the soil surface be smooth and that the plastic be in close contact with the soil. This can only be achieved by laying the plastic with a machine designed and properly adjusted for this task. Clear plastic mulch is superior for heat transfer but does not control weeds without herbicide application.

A new generation of plastic mulch films allows for good weed control together with soil warming that is intermediate between black plastic and clear film. These films are called IRT (infrared-transmitting) or wavelength-selective films. They are more expensive than black or clear films, but may be cost-effective where soil warming is important. (See also section on spacing).

Plastic, spunbonded, and non-woven materials have been developed as crop covers for use as windbreaks, for frost protection, and to enhance yield and earliness. They complement the use of plastic mulch and drip irrigation in many crops. Some sources of these materials and information on their use are:

American AgriFabrics, Alpharetta, GA. Phone 770-663-700, fax: 770-663-7690, email: dan@agrofabric.com.
Ken-Bar, Inc., Reading, MA. Phone: 800-336-8882, fax: 781-944-1055, email: kenbarinc@msn.com.

Non-woven or spunbonded polyester and perforated polyethylene row covers may be used for 4 to 6 weeks immediately after transplanting depending on temperature. Research in Illinois with the varieties "Lady Bell" and "Bell Boy", over a three year period, indicates that covers should be removed after 650-675 heat units (using a base temperature of 50 F) have been accumulated. Heat units should be based on temperatures recorded outside the covers but nearby and calculated as: the sum of ((daily high+daily low)/2)-50 F, with negative values counted as zero.

Row covers increase heat unit accumulation by 2 to 3 times over ambient. Two to four degrees of frost protection may also be obtained at night. Soil temperatures and root growth are also increased under row covers as are early yields, and in some cases total yields. Research from Connecticut indicates that the use of row cover and plastic mulch is particularly cost effective when growing red, yellow or orange bell peppers for the fresh market.

GIBBERELLIC ACID

Gibberellic acid (GA) is labelled for promotion of pepper plant growth in all states but California. The label calls for application of 1 or 2 sprays of 1-3 g ai/acre in 25-50 gal/acre at 2-week intervals. Sprays should begin about 2 weeks after transplanting. This technique is recommended for areas with short growing seasons or when low temperatures slow plant growth.

GA is also labelled for increased fruit set and fruit growth. Apply 1 or two sprays of 1-3 g ai/acre in 25-50 gal/acre at weekly intervals during flowering. The high rate is recommended for areas or varieties with pollination or fruit set problems. To promote fruit size, apply GA at the beginning of the harvest period, with the 3-g rate recommended for heavy crop loads.

Caution: For trial only. Efficacy of GA on pepper has not been confirmed under Pacific Northwest environmental conditions.

IRRIGATION

Water stress, as exemplified by extremes of drying and wetting, increases incidence of blossom-end rot. Also avoid over-irrigation after fruit ripens to reduce risk of fruit decay. Excess moisture on the foliage and fruit may aggravate this. Morning sprinkler irrigations are helpful in allowing time for foliage to dry before nightfall.

A total of 12-15 inches may be needed in western Oregon and 25-30 inches in eastern Oregon, depending on planting date and harvest season. Approximate summer irrigation needs for the Hermiston area have been found to be: 3.5 inches in May, 5.0 in June, 7.5 in July, and 7.0 in August.

Research has shown that the use of drip irrigation under black plastic mulch is superior to sprinkler irrigation with black plastic mulch. Yields usually increase dramatically.

HARVESTING, HANDLING, AND STORAGE

Yields of 15 to 25 tons/acre of bell peppers may be obtained for processing. Fresh market yields may range from 500 to 1000 28-lb cartons/acre. When using appropriate plasticulture techniques, yields of 1428 28-lb cartons/acre have been reported. Pimiento and dried chili pepper yields range from 2 to 3 tons/acre. Pepper yields are greatly influenced by the number of harvests and season. As peppers mature their wall thickens. Pick peppers when fruit is firm and well colored.

In the Northwest, bell peppers are generally hand harvested as green mature fruit. For fresh market, or when fruit is to be stored, peppers should be cut cleanly from the plant using a hand clipper or sharp knife, leaving about a 1-inch section of the pedicel (stem) attached to the fruit. A clean cut is important as such cut surfaces heal more quickly. This reduces incidence of decay in storage and during transport to market. Care should also be exercised to be sure stems do not cause puncture wounds in harvested fruit.

Maturity is determined when fruit is smooth and firm to the touch (a function of wall thickness). Bell peppers for fresh market must also be 3 inches in diameter and not less than 3.5 inches long to qualify as USDA Fancy. They can also be harvested red, which are considerably sweeter and more flavorful. Mature yellow, orange and purple bell peppers, together with red bell peppers represent a generally higher value product in fresh market channels.

Pixall (100 Bean St., Clear Lake, WI 54005) manufactures a mechanical harvester suitable for chile, cherry, and jalapeño peppers. Pixall also makes harvesters for beans, corn, peas, and spinach. Pik Rite (101 Fairfield Rd., Lewisburg, PA 17837) offers a mechanical harvester for bell, cherry, chili, and banana peppers. Pik Rite also manufactures harvesters for tomatoes and cucumbers.

Cherry peppers are machine-harvested most successfully. Cherry types are harvested as both green and red fruits, and the banana types are generally harvested as yellow mature peppers. Jalapeño and some cherry peppers have been machine harvested successfully in Michigan and California. Machine harvesting may be successful with other types, especially where the peppers are intended for processing.

STORAGE (Quoted or modified from USDA Ag. Handbook 66 and other sources)

Sweet Peppers:

Store sweet peppers at 45 to 55 F and 90 to 95 % relative humidity. Sweet, or bell, peppers are subject to chilling injury at temperatures below 45 F, and temperatures above 55 F encourage ripening and spread of bacterial soft rot. Bell peppers should not be stored longer than 2 to 3 weeks even under the most favorable conditions. At 32 to 36 F peppers usually develop pitting in a few days. Peppers held below 45 F long enough to cause serious chilling injury also develop numerous lesions of Alternaria rot. Alternaria causes the calyx to mold and decay. Holding at 40 F and below predisposes peppers to Botrytis decay also.

Rapid precooling of harvested sweet peppers is essential in reducing marketing losses, and this can be done by forced-air cooling, hydrocooling or vacuum cooling. Properly vented cartons are recommended to facilitate forced-air cooling. If hydrocooling is used, care should be taken to prevent the development of decay.

Sweet peppers prepackaged in moisture-retentive films, such as perforated polyethylene, have a storage life at 45 to 50 F up to a week longer than non-packaged peppers. The use of film crate liners can help in reducing moisture loss from the fruit.

It is commercial practice to wax fresh-market peppers but this is uncommon in Oregon. Only a thin coating should be applied. Waxing provides some surface lubrication, which not only reduces chafing in transit but also reduces shrinkage; the result is longer storage and shelf life. Senescence of sweet peppers is hastened by ethylene. Therefore, it is not a good practice to store peppers with apples, pears, tomatoes, or other ethylene producing fruits in the same room.

Low-oxygen (3 to 5 %) atmospheres retard ripening and respiration during transit and storage. High concentrations of carbon dioxide delay the loss of green color. However, high carbon dioxide also causes calyx discoloration.

Dried Chili and Other Hot Peppers:

Storage temperature depends on use; see text. A humidity of 60 to 70% is recommended. Chili peppers are usually picked when ripe and are then dried and allowed to equalize in moisture content in covered piles. Water is usually added to the peppers after drying to reduce brittleness. They are then packed tightly into sacks holding 200 or more pounds and are generally stored in non-refrigerated warehouses for up to 6 months. The temperature of the warehouses depends to some extent on their construction and the way in which they are managed but chiefly on the outside temperature (50 to 75 F). Insect infestation is a major storage problem. In southern states, chili and other hot peppers are dried, packaged, and then stored at 32 to 50 F until shipped to processing plants. Storage at low temperatures aids in retarding the loss of red color and in slowing down insect activity.

The moisture content of chili and other hot peppers when stored should be low enough (10 to 15 %) to prevent mold growth. A relative humidity of 60 to 70 % is desirable. With a higher moisture content the pods may be too pliable for grinding and may have to be re-dried. With lower moisture content (under 10 %) pods may be so brittle that they shatter during handling; this causes losses and the release of dust, which is irritating to the skin and respiratory system.

The use of polyethylene bags allows better storage and reduces the dust problem. The liners ensure that the pods maintain a constant moisture content during storage and up until the time of grinding; thus, they permit successful storage or shipment under a wide range of relative humidities. Packed in this manner, peppers can be stored 6 to 9 months at 32 to 40 F.

Manufacturers of chili and other hot pepper products hold part of their supply of the raw material in cold storage at 32 to 50 F, but they prefer to grind the peppers as soon as possible and store them in the manufactured form in airtight containers.

Freshly harvested chili or other hot peppers should be stored under the same temperature and humidity conditions as those for sweet peppers.

PACKAGING

Bell peppers are packaged in 25 to 30-lb (l l/9 bushel) containers or 30-lb cartons. Chili peppers and yellow types are packaged in 16 to 25-lb lugs or 10 to 20-lb cartons.