Double Up Bell Pepper (photo, right) outperformed all other pepper varieties in a study conducted by the San Joaquin County Farm Advisor during the summer and fall of 2003 to evaluate fruit quality, horticultural characteristics and yield.  Other Sakata varieties, including XPP 1133 and XPP 1136 were among the leading varieties for fruit quality and marketable yield! 

The Bell Pepper variety evaluation trial, conducted by Bob Mullen, Farm Advisor, San Joaquin County, was held at Foppiano Farms in French Camp, CA, southeast of Stockton.  The trial contained 10 replicated varieties and 10 additional lines in single replication observation plots.  The replicated trial of commercial standard bell pepper varieties was in a field of Baron, which was also one of the varieties replicated. 

Double Up, followed by XPP 1133 (left) were the leading varieties in fruit quality, including blocky shape and good fruit wall thickness.  These bell peppers were also leading varieties in yield of red or colored plus green marketable fruit! 

In the observation block, XPP 1136 (right) was among the best yielding varieties of red or colored plus green marketable fruit.

The Central Valley is a major production region for Bell Pepper in California.  San Joaquin County produced approximately 2,300 acres of primarily bell peppers in 2003 for both fresh and processing markets.  Production primarily occurs in this region during midsummer to late falls.  The pepper industry requires that commercial varieties be developed for high yield potential and excellent horticultural traits.

Sakata Seed America, Inc. is located in Morgan Hill, California.  The company provides high quality flower and vegetable seed.