Chile Pepper Variety Evaluation

Producing chile peppers for fresh and dried markets has garnered special interest from Latino growers in Minnesota, and remains of interest to all growers. To increase understanding of market potential, we performed a single-location replicated variety trial. We measured yield, fruit size, and Scoville heat units on harvested fruit from 10 chile varieties representing jalapeños, serranos, poblanos, and habaneros. Yield was similar across chile types (3–4.9 pounds per plant), except \u27Ancho Poblano\u27 and \u27Habanero Orange\u27 only averaged 1.2–1.8 pounds. \u27Habanero Orange\u27 had the highest scoville, followed by jalapeño, serrano, and poblano. There were notable differences in fruit size within each type of chile

Amaranth as a Dual-Use Crop for Leafy Greens and Seeds:Stable Responses to Leaf Harvest Across Genotypes and Environments

Dual-use production systems that utilize the green leaves as well as seeds from amaranth are highly promising for small-scale farmers around the world. The leaves are an important source of nutrients for farming families, while seeds can provide income. Farmers who use amaranth as a dual-use crop are concerned about the impacts of defoliation on seed yield. This experiment tested defoliation at various intensities and frequencies (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% defoliation, 1, 2, and 3 times) under controlled conditions as well as under Danish and Mexican field conditions. Defoliation tolerance was tested in a total of seven varieties, spanning the three primary grain amaranth species: A. cruentus, A. hypocondriacus, and A. caudatus. In all of the varieties and environments tested, we found that neither seed yield nor quality was impacted by a single defoliation event at intensities up to 50% leaf removal. We observed similar responses with two and three consecutive defoliations in which we removed 25% of all leaves. Greater frequency and intensity of defoliation resulted in reduced seed yield in some environments, while seed quality (protein content and 1000 KW) did not appear to be affected. Dual-use production systems should be promoted with small-scale farmers around the world as promising systems for improving local nutrition while maintaining profits from seed production. This paper provides baseline guidelines for farmers regarding optimal defoliation intensities and frequencies

Chile Pepper Variety Evaluation at Four Sites across Minnesota and Wisconsin, 2020

Latinx fresh market vegetable farmers in Minnesota face numerous barriers to market access. Many Latinx farmers live in rural communities where farmers market sales are low, and opportunities for wholesale are limited. The growers who make up Shared Ground Farmers’ Cooperative have developed an innovative cooperative marketing system to aggregate produce and sell it in Twin Cities markets, but many of the individual farmers involved also wish to find ways to keep the produce they grow in their own communities. This project emerged through a series of discussions about finding niche markets for culturally relevant crops in small-town Mexican restaurants and grocery stores, and creating value-added products. The Shared Ground growers sought out a collaboration with the University of Minnesota to explore the viability of chile pepper production in Minnesota and Wisconsin. This paper reports on 24 chile pepper varieties, trialed at 4 sites across Minnesota and Wisconsin. In addition to yield, we report early-stage results from dehydration tests and Scoville heat unit testing

Chile pepper variety evaluation and profitability analysis at three farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin, 2022

Latino fresh market vegetable farmers in Minnesota and Wisconsin are interested in growing hot peppers for local markets, both for fresh and dried pepper sales. This variety trial is the third and final trial of a 3 year project. We trialed 14 varieties of peppers representing jalapeño, serrano, habanero, poblano, and “other” types. The varieties included the top varieties from 2020 and 2021, alongside new varieties. We measured yield, fruit size, and Scoville heat units. In addition to the variety trial, we conducted an enterprise analysis to determine the profitability of hot pepper production in the Upper Midwest

Episode 8 Plant Disease Update Part 3: Trunk Disease in MN Grapes: What's Killing My Kale?

Runtime 15:27This month's episodes of "What's Killing My Kale?" is all about plant diseases. Finally, in part 3 we discuss a newly identified disease that's been impacting grapes across Minnesota

Episode 17 What Does Pesticide Safety Mean for Organic Farms? With Natalie Hoidal: What's Killing My Kale?

Runtime 21:14The December episodes of the podcast center around understanding the complex topic of pesticide use and safety on fruit and vegetable farms, including organic and natural pest management products. The internet lays many claims about the benefits of numerous "alternative" or "natural" remedies for pest management and plant health. How do we know which methods are backed up by science, and which are not? In this episode, Linda lays out ways growers can determine if claims about natural products are accurate and effective. We use epsom salts and compost tea as two examples. Linda is an Extension Educator at Washington State University and manages the Horticultural Myths blog and The Informed Gardener podcast

Episode 12 How Much Do We Really Know About Japanese Beetles?: What's Killing My Kale?

Runtime 28:29In our August episode on pollinator and beneficial insect conservation as part of IPM, we talk with Extension educator and native bee expert Elaine Evans, and Xerces society conservation planner Karin Jokela. We'll discuss some background on how pollinators and beneficial insects are faring in our current agricultural systems, how farmers can implement beneficial habitat, and some tips for managing pests without harming beneficial insects.

Episode 13 Late Season Weed Control with Annie Klodd: What's Killing My Kale?

Runtime 11:29For our September series of "What's Killing My Kale?", we caught up with some of our Extension IPM experts to discuss the main 2018 growing season pest pressures and how to prepare for 2019. We discussed weeds with Annie Klodd, diseases with Michelle Grabowski, and insects with Bill Hutchison.

Episode 6 Plant Disease Update Part 1: University of Minnesota's Plant Disease Clinic: What's Killing My Kale?

Runtime 23:09This month's episodes of "What's Killing My Kale?" is all about plant diseases. We start in part 1 with a trip to the plant disease clinic to learn about the services they provide to growers.

Episode 11 Pollinators and IPM Part 3: Pesticides and Pollinators with Karin Jokela: What's Killing My Kale?

Runtime 14:06In our August episode on pollinator and beneficial insect conservation as part of IPM, we talk with Extension educator and native bee expert Elaine Evans, and Xerces society conservation planner Karin Jokela. We'll discuss some background on how pollinators and beneficial insects are faring in our current agricultural systems, how farmers can implement beneficial habitat, and some tips for managing pests without harming beneficial insects.