Advanced lines of Jalapeño pepper with potential for mechanical harvesting

The objective of this study was to evaluate the plant and fruit characteristics in advanced lines of Jalapeño pepper for mechanical harvesting. Thus, two experiments were carried out in the field. Experiment I (2015) was conducted as a randomized block design (three replications and eight plants per plot) and Experiment II (2016) in a completely randomized design (five replications and ten plants per plot). In 2015, lines CNPH 30,112, CNPH 30,118, CNPH 30,147, CNPH 30,159, CNPH 30,183, and CNPH 30,245 were evaluated, together with the control ‘BRS Sarakura’. Significant differences were detected for fruit and plant characteristics (P10cm), large fruits (11 cm x 4 cm), high pulp firmness (11 N), wall thickness (about 5mm), and content of capsaicinoid substances (>50,000 SHU). Selected lines are undergoing additional field evaluation for mechanical harvesting with the Etgar Moses 1010 pepper harvester. RESUMO: O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar as características de planta e fruto em linhagens avançadas de pimenta do tipo Jalapeño visando à colheita mecanizada. Assim, foram feitos dois experimentos em campo. O Experimento I (2015) foi conduzido em delineamento de blocos casualizados (três repetições e oito plantas por parcela) e o Experimento II (2016) em delineamento inteiramente casualizado (cinco repetições e dez plantas por parcela). Em 2015, foram avaliadas as linhagens CNPH 30,112, CNPH 30,118, CNPH 30,147, CNPH 30,159, CNPH 30,183 e CNPH 30,245, juntamente com o controle ‘BRS Sarakura’. Foram detectadas diferenças significativas para as características de planta e fruto (P10cm), frutos grandes (11