Growers in Northwest Missouri have traditionally produced peppers on the loess soils in this part of the state. Sandy soils along the Missouri River are especially well-suited for pepper production. Markets represent a problem as the largest terminal markets are at Kansas City and Omaha. Peppers are usually transplanted to the field and harvested as they mature. Most varieties of green peppers will yield red fruit if the fruit are left on the vines. This variety trial was planted to determine which peppers perform best in this region and climate.

Sixteen pepper varieties were evaluated on the trial garden in St Joseph. The deep loess soil was well drained but there was drought during most of the growing season. Irrigation was not used during the experiment. Transplants were planted in the field on May 23. . The field was sprayed with Treflan on May 21.. Ten plants of each variety were planted 3' apart in rows 30" apart. Each row was fertilized with 6 oz of 46-0-0 fertilizer on June 29. Plants were sprayed with diazinon on June 30 to control aphids. . Weeds were controlled by roto tilling. The peppers were harvested from June 18 until September 9.

The peppers matured in July but the hot weather in August delayed flowering and fruit set. Fruit were picked about every two weeks until mid-September. All varieties were bell peppers except the jalapeno varieties 'AC 6000' and 'Xena'. 'Ristras ' was a cayenne pepper. Of the bell peppers, 'Crusader' had the most fruit followed by 'AC 830' and 'Lafayette'. . The largest fruit was produced by 'Colossal' followed by 'Lafayette'. Drought conditions and high temperatures during the summer may have reduced the yield.