LAS CRUCES – New Mexico State University has received a $759,000 federal grant to develop a new variety of green chile that is both disease-resistant and better suited for mechanical harvesting, a project researchers say could help strengthen one of the state’s signature agricultural industries.
The four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will support research led by Stephanie Walker, NMSU professor and Extension vegetable specialist. The project aims to develop a green chile variety that resists Phytophthora capsici, a destructive disease that can severely damage or wipe out chile crops, while also making the peppers easier to harvest using machinery.
Researchers say the effort addresses two of the biggest challenges facing chile producers: crop losses caused by disease and a continuing shortage of agricultural labor. By developing a variety that can be harvested mechanically, growers could reduce production costs while maintaining the quality consumers expect from New Mexico green chile.
The project is a collaboration between NMSU and Cornell University. Scientists will combine traditional plant breeding with modern genomic research, while graduate students from both universities will receive hands-on training in plant genetics and crop improvement.
The new variety will build on NMSU’s previous work developing machine-harvestable green chile, including the NuMex Odyssey variety, with the goal of adding strong disease resistance without sacrificing flavor or quality.
According to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, New Mexico produces about 77 percent of the nation’s chile peppers, making the crop one of the state’s most recognized agricultural products and an important contributor to the rural economy.
Researchers expect the project to continue over the next four years, with field trials conducted in New Mexico as they work toward developing a stronger, more resilient green chile for growers across the state.
By John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications LLC – email john@bravomic.com