(253) `TAM Ben Villalon' and `TAM Valley Hot': Two New Pepper Cultivars from the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Weslaco

The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station/Texas A&M University announces the release of two new open-pollinated cultivars of long chile. The first, `TAM Ben Villalon,'(TBV) is a long green chile/Anaheim type, while the second, `TAM Valley Hot,' (TVH) is a large cayenne type. Both cultivars have complex pedigrees involving TAES potyvirus resistant germplasm developed by Ben Villalon. Consequently, they exhibit resistance to some strains of tobacco etch virus when mechanically inoculated. In addition, TBV exhibits resistance to several strains of pepper mottle virus. These new cultivars out-yielded their comparable commercial cultivars, `Sonora,' and `Mesilla', when grown with drip irrigation at Weslaco and Uvalde, Texas. TBV yielded 16,632 kg/ha of green pods, compared to 14,228 kg/ha for `Sonora.' Both cultivars had similar capsaicin concentrations of 30–40 ppm on a fresh-weight basis. TBV pods are significantly heavier than those of `Sonora' due to thicker flesh. It should be useful for the green chile processing and fresh market industries. TBV may also be dried at the red stage to produce chile powder, which is very similar in quality to that of `NM 6-4.' TVH pods are not significantly different from `Mesilla' for size or weight, but contain significantly more capsaicin (670 vs. 320 ppm) when grown at Weslaco. TVH should be well-suited to the cayenne mash industry for hot sauce production due to its high heat level. Both cultivars will be distributed through commercial seed companies after receiving approval for Plant Variety Protection Patents.

Effect of glyphosate application timings and methods on glyphosate-resistant cotton

Under certain conditions, application of glyphosate to glyphosate-resistant (GR) cotton can lead to fruit shedding and yield reductions. Field studies were conducted at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station using GR cotton, cv. ‘DeltaPine 5690RR’, to determine if application method and timing affect cotton fruit retention. Glyphosate at 1.12 kg ai ha−1was precisely postdirected (PD), postdirected with 25% foliage coverage (PDFC), or applied over the top (OT) at the 8- or 18-leaf stage after an initial topical application of 1.12 kg ha−1glyphosate at the four-leaf stage. In one of the years of this study, 8 PD, 18 PDFC, and 18 OT reduced yield. In 1999 and 2000, 8 PDFC and 8 OT applications of glyphosate caused yield loss, mainly due to lower mean boll weight. Glyphosate applied topically at the eight-leaf stage also affected the Position 1 boll retention throughout the plant in both years. Glyphosate contact with leaves and stems should be avoided when applying glyphosate after the four-leaf stage to prevent possible yield loss.

Evaluation of Fulfill for Control of Cotton Aphids, 1996

Cotton was planted 20 Jun in 40-inch rows (8-row X 75-ft plots) at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Chillicothe. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with 5 insecticide treat-ments and a check replicated 4 times. Cotton was inspected for aphids on 2, 9, and 15 Aug. Ten leaves from the top half and 10 leaves from the lower half of plants from each plot were examined, and the numbers of aphids were recorded on each inspection date. Pre-treatment counts were made and the insecticide treatments were applied on 19 Aug. Treatments were applied with a John Deere High Cycle 6000 sprayer. Spray drops were used to provide three nozzles per row, delivering 9.7 gpa at 40 psi. Post-treatment aphid counts were made at 4, 6, and 13 DAT.

TAM VERACRUZ-A NEW MULTIPLE VIRUS RESISTANT HOT JALAPEÑO PEPPPER

TAM VERACRUZ is a multiple virus resistant (MVR), open pollinated pepper cultivar developed by Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Weslaco. This pungent, cylindrical (fruit with blunt end and cuticular cracks) jalapeño variety possesses high levels of genetic resistance to several isolates of TEV (Texas, California and Culiacan isolates). It also carries resistance to local virulent isolates of PVY, PeMV, TRSV, CMV, and TMV. This genotype combines the desirable horticultural characteristics of commercial standards and MVR genes derived from PI 342947, PI 264281 AC 2207 and Avelar. Additionally, `TAM Veracruz' has the ability to set fruit at temperatures above 35C. It has a concentrated flower habit, sets fruits earlier and matures more uniformly than its progenitor `TAM Mild Jalapeño-1'. It is predominatly single stemmed and will support a good heavy set of large thick, fruit which can be mechanically harvested. It is well suited for fresh market consumption in salads, or as a processed product, pickled whole, sliced as “nacho” rings or diced for use in picante sauces. This pepper is as hot as Jalapeño M.

Influence of Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Growth and Tissue N and P Concentration in Salvia greggii

Studies were conducted at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Dallas to determine nitrogen and phosphorus requirements of Salvia greggii Gray. (autumn sage), a resource-efficient landscape plant for the Southwest. Maximum growth of potted rooted cuttings used in the studies was obtained with application of 200 mg/liter (ppm) N and 50 mg/liter (ppnl) P, although fertilization with 150 mg/liter (ppm) N and 30 mg/liter (ppm) P would produce near maximum growth. Tissue levels should be > 2.2% N and > 0.20% P for these elements not to limit growth.

Influence of Sulfur on Soil pH and Growth of Cenizo [Leucophyllum frutescens (Berl.) I.M. Johnst]

Studies were conducted on two soils at Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (TAES) at Dallas to determine the influence of sulfur (S) application on soil pH and subsequent growth of cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens). Application of 16800 kg/ha (7.5 Tons/A) reduced pH of Houston black clay from 7.6 to about 5.8 and application of 33600 kg/ha (15 T/A) reduced soil pH to 3.7. The same rates of S did not affect pH of Stephen silty clay because of the high CaCO3 found in the Stephen soil. The high S rate reduced growth and/or killed cenizo grown on Houston black clay but did not influence plant growth on Stephen silty clay. These studies indicate that the application of S to typical soils of the Blackland prairie is not necessary for improving growth of cenizo.