Specialty Crop: Selection and Preservation of Uba Tuba, a Specialty Pepper

Uba Tuba is a specialty pepper (Capsicum baccatum) with an extremely attractive shape, color and culinary qualities. However, when grown in Kentucky, production is usually very late in the growing season. Previous research has demonstrated the value of single plant selection for improving early yield of Uba Tuba. The proposed project will permit two rounds of single plant selection and will also permit evaluation of the potential for processing Uba Tuba. Preservation by brining, canning, and by dehydration will be evaluated by objective and organoleptic methods. Success would provide Kentucky farmers an additional income stream.