New Mexico Producers Look Forward to Bumper Chile Crop

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Good weather and healthy plants have the state's chile producers celebrating an abundant crop this year. New Mexico State University's Anna María Pérez-Wright has the story.

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All signs are pointing to a bumper chile crop. Steady, gradually warming temperatures in the early spring favored strong and vigorous crop establishment. Vegetable specialist Bob Bevacqua with New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service says six months with little or no rain didn't hurt the largely irrigated chile fields.

"2002 promises to be the best chile crop that New Mexico has had in 10 years. The green harvest, which is underway at present, has been exceptionally good."

Bevacqua says plant diseases could provide the only glitch in an otherwise positive outlook. Summer rains promote the growth of three diseases: phytophthora root rot or chile wilt, powdery mildew and bacterial spot.

"They are all favored by wet, humid and hot conditions. At present they are only a threat on the horizon."

New Mexico's last prime year for chile was in 2000, when farmers planted 19-thousand acres and produced 99-thousand tons of chile. For N-M-S-U's College of Agriculture and Home Economics, I'm Anna María Pérez-Wright.