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Home , Capsicum, Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens, Chili pepper, Scoville scale

HS1241

Jalapeño and Other Hot Pepper Varieties for Florida1 Monica Ozores-Hampton and McAvoy2

The jalapeño ( annuum) is derived from the of $10 per bushel (10-year average). California and New Capsicum of the family . Jalapeños are produce most of the hot peppers grown in the members of a diverse group of hot peppers, which also , but many Florida farmers grow hot peppers includes the ancho , cayenne, serrano, Anaheim, as a niche crop. The growing conditions are similar to bell banana, Asian, , and Hungarian wax peppers. peppers (Stephens 2015). or transplants should be Hot peppers are classified by their heat and shape. The planted after the danger of frost has passed in north and heat of the pepper comes from the chemical compound central Florida, and from September to March in south , which is measured by the (Kaiser Florida. should be spaced 12–18 inches apart in and Ernst 2013). Pure capsaicin has a Scoville unit between full sun on well-drained, fertilized soil. The soil should be 15,000,000–16,000,000. Bell peppers have a Scoville unit of fertilized two to three times during the growing season. zero, while the hottest peppers have a Scoville unit greater Most hot peppers take 65–75 days to mature after trans- than 1,000,000. The jalapeño is considered relatively mild, planting. Jalapeño and other hot peppers are sold during an ranging from 1,000 to 8,000. Jalapeño peppers are native approximate 10-month period throughout the year. to Mexico and are the most popular type of Mexican hot pepper. The name comes from Xalapa, which is the Jalapeño and Other Hot Pepper Varieties—Here is a list Mexican state capital of . The majority of jalapeño of jalapeño and other hot pepper varieties used in Florida production in Mexico and the United States is picked for (Tables 1 and 2). canning or fresh markets. Jalapeños can be used as an ingredient in cooked or raw , or charred and peeled to be stuffed with cheese, meat, or fish. is the term used for jalapeños that are allowed to ripen on the to a deep color and are then dried.

The US demand for jalapeño and other hot peppers rises every year due to the growing popularity of ethnic (Naeve 2015). Consumption has increased from 5.2 lb/ person in 2001 to 7.2 lb/person in 2016 (Wells 2016). The production of hot peppers in the United States was valued at $135 million dollars in 2015 with 18,100 acres harvested [United States Department of (USDA) 2016]. The average yield is 762 bushels/acre with an average price

1. This document is HS1241, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 2013. Revised October 2014 and October 2017. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Monica Ozores-Hampton, associate professor, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee; and Gene McAvoy, county director and agent, UF/IFAS Extension Hendry County; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Table 1. Jalapeño and other hot pepper varieties for Florida. Producer Dealer Season Plant and Resistance Comments (Relative Characteristics Maturity) Jalapeño Peppers Shape: Short and stubby (National Garden Bureau 2007) Heat: Low to Medium Compadre Syngenta Reimer Seeds, Mid-late Plants are vigorous R to PVY, TM, Fruit can be Siegers season and produce uniform and Xcv 2, 5. continuously picked Co., and Stokes and consistently with high yields, even smooth fruit. The high under low temperatures. quality fruit is large. Fruit has no purpling and low cracking and has good tolerance to extreme temperatures.

Jalafuego Sakata Seed Johnny’s Midseason Plants are large, R to Xcv 1–3, The extra length of the America, Selected vigorous, and strong 7, 8, and PVY fruit makes it perfect Inc. Seeds, Organic with excellent yield. 0.1.2. for growing conditions Seed Supply, The extra-large and that may cause fruit to and smooth fruit is very shorten. Growers Supply dark green to red. Relative Scoville rating: Company Fruit has a super 4,000–6,000 high and is extremely hot with excellent length. Lexus US Seedway and Early Plants are large R to Xcv 1-3. Adapted for both fresh Agriseeds Seigers Seed season and vigorous. and processing markets. Co. Concentrated fruit Relative Scoville rating: set, and uniform, dark 1,700–2,500. green, pungent fruit.

PS 11435810 Seminis Siegers Seed Midseason Tall plants with a R to PVY and Relative Scoville rating: Co. concentrated fruit set, TE. IR to Ma/ 2,001–2,500 Seed, Inc. smooth exterior and Mi/Mj and dark green color. Pc.

PS 11435807 Seminis Siegers Seed Early Medium tall plants R to PVY and Consistent performance Vegetable Co. season with a concentrated TE. IR to Ma/ across different regions. Seed, Inc. fruit set. have a Mi/Mj and Relative Scoville rating: smooth exterior, dark Pc. 1,501–2,000. green color and an average size of 4.1 × 1.4 inches.

Figure 4. PS 11435810

Credits: Seminis Vegetable Seed, Inc. Jalapeño and Other Hot Pepper Varieties for Florida 2 Variety Producer Dealer Season Plant and Fruit Resistance Comments (Relative Characteristics Maturity) Ancho Poblano Peppers Shape: Flat and round with a blunt end (National Garden Bureau 2007) Heat: Low Condor US Seedway and 78 days Mostly two lobed, IR to Xcv 1-3. Similar fruit size from Agriseeds Siegers Seed dark green, uniform beginning to end of Co. fruit. Resembles San harvest. Ardo.

Don Matias Seminis Siegers Seed Midseason Very large fruit, None. Mexican type suitable Vegetable Co. and Ahern maturing dark green for chili rellenos. Seed, Inc. Agribusiness, to . Relative Scoville rating: Inc. 2,500–4,000.

Masivo US Ripen Seeds 70–75 days Plants produce fruit R to TM. Relative Scoville rating: Agriseeds and Siegers 7.5 × 3 inches. The 1,500–4,000 Seed Co. dark green, extra- large, and high- quality fruit has two smooth veins that are flat and uniform in shape.

San Ardo US Reimer Seeds 70–75 days Plants are vigorous, PVY, TM, and Relative Scoville rating:

Agriseeds and Ripen with high yields of 6 × Tobamo P0. 1,500–4,000 Seeds 3 inch fruit that turns from green to red when mature.

Cayenne Peppers Shape: Long and curved (National Garden Bureau 2007) Heat: Medium to High Cheyenne Sakata Seed Harris Seeds, Early Plants are compact None Fruit can be harvested America, Johnny’s season and vigorous and 10–14 days earlier than Inc. Selected Seeds, produce wrinkled and most standard varieties Organic Seed pungent fruit. The on the market with no Supply, Reimer 8- to 9-inch long fruit sacrifice in fruit quality. Seeds, and West has a great aroma. Fruit is harvested early Coast Seeds for fresh markets and processing. Relative Scoville rating: 2,000–4,000

Jalapeño and Other Hot Pepper Varieties for Florida 3 Variety Producer Dealer Season Plant and Fruit Resistance Comments (Relative Characteristics Maturity) Iberia Lark Seed Seedway 71 days Plants are strong and None Plants produce very medium to tall in size. early fruit. Fruit is similar Plants produce dull to Mesilla in heat but has green or red fruit that a thicker flesh. grows 11 × 2 inches.

Mesilla Seminis Plants. 85–90 days Plants produce hot R to Tobamo Fruit can be used either

Vegetable com, Harris and very long fruit, P0and PVY 0. green or red. Seed, Inc. Seeds, Organic which is about 9–11 × IR to TE and Relative Scoville Seeds Supply, 1.5 inches. PepMo. rating:2,000–4,000 Reimer Seeds, Ripen Seeds, Siegers Seed Co., Stokes, and Tomato Growers Supply Serrano Peppers Shape: Slim and slightly club-shaped (National Garden Bureau 2007) Heat: Medium to High Altiplano US Seigers Seed Main Vigorous plant with None. Widely adaptable. Agriseeds Co. season uniform, green fruit.

Camino Real Harris Clifton Seed Midseason Plants produce large, R to PVY 1. Plants have excellent Moran Seed Company, green fruit. IR to TE. yield across all growing Company Harris Seeds, areas. Organic seed and Seedway available.

Devil US Chile Plants. 72–75 days Plant produces 3- to R to Relative Scoville rating: Agriseeds com, Reimer 4-inch-long fruit that PepMoV, 3,500­–6,000 Seeds, Siegers is dark green. PVY, TE. Seed Co., and Totally Tomato

Jalapeño and Other Hot Pepper Varieties for Florida 4 Variety Producer Dealer Season Plant and Fruit Resistance Comments (Relative Characteristics Maturity) Don Picoso US Seigers Seed 70 days Dark green fruit which None. Continuous set. Agriseeds Co., Reimer is about 25% to 30% Seeds larger than Tuxtlas.

Anaheim Peppers Shape: Long and tapered Heat: Low Charger US Seedway and Main Plants are erect R to TSW. Fruit is flavorful with Agriseeds Siegers Seed season and vigorous with mild heat. Co. excellent foliage. Plants produce fruit that grows 7.5 × 1.5 inches and matures from green to red.

Habanero Peppers Shape: Small and lantern-shaped Heat: Extremely High Chichen Itza Seminis 115–120 Plants are strong and R to Tobamo Relative Scoville rating:

Vegetable Seeds, Tomato days produce an excellent P0. 15,000–18,000 Seed, Inc. Growers Supply fruit set. Fruit matures Company, and from green to Reimer Seeds and measures approximately 2 × 1 inches.

Hungarian Wax Peppers Shape: Long and conical ( A&M University 2007) Heat: Low Inferno Seminis Reimer Seeds, 60–65 days Fruit measures 8.5 × None. Hungarian wax peppers Vegetable Stokes Seeds, 11 inches. Large and are also known as Seed, Inc. Seigers Seed thick-walled; good banana peppers. Co., Totally for fresh market or Relative Scoville rating: Tomatoes . 500–1000.

Jalapeño and Other Hot Pepper Varieties for Florida 5 Variety Producer Dealer Season Plant and Fruit Resistance Comments (Relative Characteristics Maturity) Santa Fe/Caribe Peppers Shape: Tapered and conical (Texas A&M University 2007) Heat: Low to Medium Rio de Oro Seminis Osborne Seed, 65–70 days Plants are vigorous R to TM. Relative Scoville rating: Vegetable Stokes Seeds, with a good set. 500–600. Seed, Inc. Seigers Seed Fruits measure Co. approximately 3.5 ×2 inches.

Rio Tesoro US Holmes Seed 70 days Plants are vigorous None. Relative Scoville rating: Agriseeds Co. and Seigers with a good set. 3,000–5,000. Seed Co. Fruits measure approximately 3.5 ×2 inches.

Asian Peppers Shape: Small, slender and thin-walled (Texas A&M University 2007) Heat: High to Extreme Balada Unknown Unknown Late season Tall, bushy plant. None Relative Scoville rating: Fruits measure 4 to 6 above 30,000. inches in length.

Note: While this list includes a number of varieties currently popular with Florida growers, it is by no means a comprehensive list of all varieties that may be adapted to the state.

Table 2. Disease key to abbreviations. Ma/Mi/Mj Root-knot nematode Pc Phytophthora blight PepMo Pepper mottle PVY virus Y TE etch virus TM

Tobamo P0 Tobamo virus (Tobamo virus P0) TSW Tomato spotted wilt virus Xcv 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. Vesicatoria) R Resistance IR Intermediate resistance (shows less severe symptoms than susceptible varieties)

Jalapeño and Other Hot Pepper Varieties for Florida 6 References Kaiser, C. and M. Ernst. 2013. Heirloom . Coop. Ext. Serv. Univ. Ky., College of Agr. 10 Aug. 2016. http:// www.uky.edu/Ag/NewCrops/introsheets/heirloom.pdf

Naeve, L. 2015. Bell and chili peppers. AgMRC (Agr. Mktg. Resource Ctr.), Iowa State Univ. 10 Aug. 2016. http:// www.agmrc.org/commodities__products/vegetables/ bell-and-chili-peppers/

National Garden Bureau. 2007. Horticulture update: classifying chile peppers. Texas Coop. Ext. 10 Aug. 2016. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/newsletters/hortupdate/ hortupdate_archives/2007/Jul07/ClassifChilePeppers.html

Stephens, J. M. 2015. Pepper, chili— L. and L. Gainesville: Univ. of Fla. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 10 Aug. 2016. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mv112

US Department of Agriculture. 2016. Statistics of vegetables and melons. 29 Aug. 2017. https://www.nass.usda.gov/ Publications/Ag_Statistics/2016/Chapter04.pdf

Wells, H. F. 2016. Vegetables and pulses yearbook data. U.S. Dept. of Agr. 29 Aug. 2017. http://usda.mannlib.cornell. edu/usda/ers/VEGANDPULSESYEARBOOK/2016/ VegetableandPulsesYearbook2016.pdf

Jalapeño and Other Hot Pepper Varieties for Florida 7