TAM Mild Jalapeno
Encyclopedia
The TAM Mild Jalapeño is a mild variety of jalapeño
pepper developed at Texas A&M University
(TAM). It has been superseded by TAM Mild Jalapeño II, which was released to growers in October, 2002.
According to the Texas Foundation Seed Service website:
"The TAM Mild Jalapeño II possesses numerous attributes, which should be desirable to both growers and consumers. The fruit is extremely large (7-8 cm) and heavy (30-35 g) with thick, dark green flesh, very little skin cracking or anthocyanin development (black color) and mild pungency. Plants are compact in size (40-50 cm), with dense foliage cover, preventing sunburn of the fruit. Additionally, fruit set is concentrated, allowing for fewer harvests. The plants are heat tolerant and will set fruit in temperatures above 30°C. Fruit matures 4-5 days before TAM Mild Jalapeño I and most hybrid varieties such as ‘Mitla’. Yields of TAM Mild Jalapeño II have been consistently superior to TAM Mild Jalapeño I and very similar to the hybrid ‘Grande.’
TAM Mild Jalapeño II is resistant to Texas strains of four common pepper viruses: TEV, PVY, PeMoV, and TMV. Resistance to multiple strains of both TEV and PeMoV has been confirmed by repeated experiments at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
in Weslaco, Texas
. This makes this variety extremely valuable in regions such as south Texas where the potyvirus
es and the aphid
vectors are prevalent. Resistance is provided by several genes from diverse sources verified by previous researchers in Florida
, Brazil
, and California
. More than 12 generations of inbreeding
have made TAM Mild Jalapeño II quite uniform in its virus resistance and plant characteristics. Experimental yield trials have demonstrated wide adaptability in south, central, and west Texas and New Mexico. Yields have been good on the silty soils of Weslaco, but even better on the sandy soils near Mission, Texas
and in New Mexico. Plant size and yield have been superior when grown on plastic mulch
as compared to bare soil."
Jalapeño
The jalapeño is a medium-sized chili pepper that has a warm, burning sensation when eaten. A mature jalapeño fruit is 2–3½ inches long and is commonly picked and consumed while still green, but occasionally it is allowed to fully ripen and turn crimson red...
pepper developed at Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
(TAM). It has been superseded by TAM Mild Jalapeño II, which was released to growers in October, 2002.
According to the Texas Foundation Seed Service website:
"The TAM Mild Jalapeño II possesses numerous attributes, which should be desirable to both growers and consumers. The fruit is extremely large (7-8 cm) and heavy (30-35 g) with thick, dark green flesh, very little skin cracking or anthocyanin development (black color) and mild pungency. Plants are compact in size (40-50 cm), with dense foliage cover, preventing sunburn of the fruit. Additionally, fruit set is concentrated, allowing for fewer harvests. The plants are heat tolerant and will set fruit in temperatures above 30°C. Fruit matures 4-5 days before TAM Mild Jalapeño I and most hybrid varieties such as ‘Mitla’. Yields of TAM Mild Jalapeño II have been consistently superior to TAM Mild Jalapeño I and very similar to the hybrid ‘Grande.’
TAM Mild Jalapeño II is resistant to Texas strains of four common pepper viruses: TEV, PVY, PeMoV, and TMV. Resistance to multiple strains of both TEV and PeMoV has been confirmed by repeated experiments at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
Texas AgriLife Research is the agricultural and life sciences research agency of Texas and a part of the Texas A&M University System. Formerly named Texas Agricultural Research Service, the agency's name was changed January 1, 2008 as part of a rebranding of Texas A&M AgriLife .The agricultural...
in Weslaco, Texas
Weslaco, Texas
Weslaco is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population was 35,670 at the 2010 census. Weslaco derives its name from the W.E. Stewart Land Company...
. This makes this variety extremely valuable in regions such as south Texas where the potyvirus
Potyvirus
Potyviruses infect plants and belong to the family Potyviridae. The genus is named after the type virus - Potato Virus Y.The Potyvirus, like the Begomoviruses, have ~30% of the currently known plant viruses and have at least 180 definitive and possible members...
es and the aphid
Aphid
Aphids, also known as plant lice and in Britain and the Commonwealth as greenflies, blackflies or whiteflies, are small sap sucking insects, and members of the superfamily Aphidoidea. Aphids are among the most destructive insect pests on cultivated plants in temperate regions...
vectors are prevalent. Resistance is provided by several genes from diverse sources verified by previous researchers in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. More than 12 generations of inbreeding
Inbreeding
Inbreeding is the reproduction from the mating of two genetically related parents. Inbreeding results in increased homozygosity, which can increase the chances of offspring being affected by recessive or deleterious traits. This generally leads to a decreased fitness of a population, which is...
have made TAM Mild Jalapeño II quite uniform in its virus resistance and plant characteristics. Experimental yield trials have demonstrated wide adaptability in south, central, and west Texas and New Mexico. Yields have been good on the silty soils of Weslaco, but even better on the sandy soils near Mission, Texas
Mission, Texas
Mission is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population was 77,058 at the 2010 census Mission is part of the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission and Reynosa–McAllen metropolitan areas.-Geography:Mission is located at ....
and in New Mexico. Plant size and yield have been superior when grown on plastic mulch
Plastic mulch
Plastic mulch is a product used, in a similar fashion to mulch, to suppress weeds and conserve water in crop production and landscaping. Certain plastic mulches also act as a barrier to keep methyl bromide, both a powerful fumigant and ozone depleter, in the soil. Crops grow through slits or...
as compared to bare soil."