Researcher: J. Warner & B. Balkwill, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Harrow, Ont.

Objectives: To evaluate new cultivars of sweet corn, snap beans and peppers for their suitability for processing vegetable production under growing and climatic conditions of southwestern Ontario and to improve yield, quality and returns to growers. To provide field support to processing tomato cultivar evaluation managed by Mr. Loewen (Ridgetown College, University of Guelph).

Methodology: Cultivars of each crop were arranged using a randomized complete block design with 3 or 4 replicates. Observation/screening trials were also carried out to determine the adaptability and potential of new cultivars and selections to grow in southwestern Ontario. The cultivars in the trials were managed according to normal cultural practises used in southwestern Ontario. Data on plant stand, maturity, yield, quality, disease resistance and plant growth characteristics were collected.

Results:

Snap Beans. Trials were conducted to evaluate standard cutting and slicing types as well as small sieve size wholepack types. Seventeen standard cutting and 16 wholepack cultivars were tested. Good soil conditions promoted good growth and produced some high yields, however, below average temperatures during pod set, seemed to affect certain cultivars. Zeus and Saratoga, usually at the top in yields, were lower, while Hercules (last in 1999) was at the top in 2000. Carlo and Impact (normally very good) had below average yields in 2000.

Sweet Corn. Thirteen super sweet cultivars were tested. Ex 461 had the highest yield (8.6 tons/ac) and received a good rating. EX 460 and EX 465 have been tested for 3 years and have performed well with good yields, however, kernel and ear size were smaller this year. EX 465 has been the higher yielder (8.4 tons/ac in 2000). Common rust was prevalent this year and resulted in some loss of yield and quality. Gallant was quite susceptible to the rust disease.

Bell Peppers. Thirteen cultivars were evaluated in the advanced trial and 26 in the observation trial. Overall, size of plants was smaller this year than last with poor to fair cover throughout the season. With wet soil conditions all season, root growth was shallow and small. Yields were lower, especially in the ripe fruit harvest. Excessive rainfall and moisture caused severe bacterial soft rot and yield loss. Cultivars with deep stem cavities may be more susceptible to the disease.

In the advanced trial, RPP 6088 had the highest green fruit yield while Redstart had the highest red fruit yield. RPP 6088 is a promising large, square, blocky type and it also performed well last year in the observation trial.

In the observation trial, the standard cultivar, King Arthur, had the highest yield. Victoria had the highest early yield, however, total yield was only average.

Tomato. Field support for processing tomato cultivar evaluation was provided to Mr. Steve Loewen, Ridgetown College, University of Guelph.