Chile Pepper Production and Processing in the Midwest

The relatively short growing season in the Midwest presents a problem for farmers who wish to capitalize on the growing demand of chile peppers products. Chile pepper is a warm-season crop and grows best in the long frost-free season in the Southwest. There is a lack of productive varieties available to Midwest farmers. The objective of this research are to evaluate experimental chile pepper hybrids for production and processing potential in the Midwest, and to determine seed production capability. The goal is to determine the feasibility of growing CapsiGen chile pepper hybrids for large-scale chile pepper production in the Midwest. Six hybrid chile pepper selections will be evaluated in the field for plant growth habit, disease and insect tolerance, maturity, yield, heterosis, and fresh use and processing characteristics. Hand-pollinations will be made in the field to determine outdoor seed production capability.