HOT PEPPER VARIETY TRIAL


 Six varieties of hot pepper (Capsicum fntescens) were evaluated during the summer-fall season of 1988. The
varieties were Anaheim, Ancho, Cayenne, Habanero, Jalapeno and Red Cherry. Seeds were sown on May 20,
1988, and seedlings transplanted on July 6, 1988.
 Plots consisted of three rows spaced 90 cm apart. Rows were 7.6 m long and plants in the row were spaced
46 cm apart. The trial was arranged in a randomized complete block with three replications.
 All plots were fertilized with 145 kg ha-' of NPK using a 20-20-20 fertilizer formulation. The fertilizer was applied
in bands about 10 cm from the base of the plants 17 days after transplanting. The plots were drip-Irrigated to
maintain soil moisture at field capacity. Yield samples were harvested six times between August 19 and November
10, 1988.
 The highest yield of 7.78 t ha-' was produced by Anaheim (Table 10). Anaheim also produced larger fruits than
other varieties. Jalapeno produced the second highest yield. Cayenne, Habanero and Red Cherry all produced
similar yields, while Ancho produced the lowest yield. Anaheim and Jalapeno are the two hot pepper varieties with
potential for high production in the Virgin Islands.

 Table 10. Total marketable yield of hot pepper varieties grown
 during summer-fall, 1988, at UVI-AES.

 Marketable yield' Fruit size'
 Variety (t ha") (g)

 Anaheim 7.78 a 26
 Jalapeno 5.96 b 14
 Habanero 3.57 c 6
 Red Cherry 3.54 c 15
 Cayenne 2.93 c 11
 Ancho 1.40 d 15

 Means within a column followed by the same letter are not significantly
 different by Duncan's Multiple Range Test, (P=0.05).



EGGPLANT VARIETY TRIAL

 Eggplant isa popular and important vegetable crop in the Virgin Islands. There is always a demand for eggplant
since it is widely used in local dishes. It can be grown throughout the year in the Virgin Islands. In the summer-fall
of 1988, afieldtrial was conducted to evaluatethe yield performanceof six eggplant varieties: Black Bell, BlackNite,
Epic, Imperial, Jersey King and Midnite.
 Seeds of these varieties were direct-seeded in the field on June 30, 1988. Plant spacing was 90 cm between
rows and 46 cm between plants along the row. The plants were fertilized with 145 kg ha-' of NPK using 20-20-20
commercial fertilizer on July 7. Each variety was planted in three rows that were 2.73 m long. The plots were
arranged in a randomized complete block with three replications.
 All plots were drip-Irrigated to maintain soil moisture at field capacity. There were five harvests during the
growing season. The first harvest was on August 9 while the last harvest was on October 5.
 Black Bell, Midnite and Jersey King were the highest-producing varieties (Table 11). These varieties produced
30 t ha-' of marketable fruits. Black Nite and Epic were the next highest-producing. The largest fruits were found
in Black Bell and Midnite. Imperial had the smallest fruit, averaging 189 g.
 The data showthat eggplant varieties Black Bell, Midnite and Jersey King perform well during the summer-fall
season and, therefore, are suitable for production in the Virgin Islands.