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Florida Hosts 17th International Pepper Conference in Naples
 

Over 200 pepper breeders, researchers and growers from around the globe descended on the Naples Beach Resort and Golf Club in Naples Florida to attend the 17^th International Pepper Conference held November 14-16^th 2004.

The conference was conceived in 1972, when Dr. Ben Villalon, pepper breeder and virologist at the Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Weslaco met with Dr. Tom Zitter who at that time was a Plant Pathologist at the University of Florida Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade.  Tom and Ben wondered if like-minded researchers would be interested in getting together to exchange information on virus resistance in pepper as well as germplasm of interest.  They didn't know what kind of interest there might be so Dr. Villalon sent a questionnaire to 65 colleagues to judge potential interest.  The response was overwhelming and they ended up with 120 attending the first National Pepper Conference in McAllen, Texas in 1972 and the following year in Weslaco.  Since that time the conference has been held throughout the United States and Mexico every two years, with the popularity of the conference growing with the global demand for peppers.

For the past 32 years, the International Pepper Conference has attracted prominent scientists, researchers, breeders, horticulturists, pathologists, entomologists, geneticists, physiologists, virologists, extension agents, seed and chemical company representatives, major processors, growers, and chile aficionados from around the world and is now recognized as the premier venue for the dissemination and exchange of information on Capsicum.

Totally a volunteer effort, the ad hoc International Pepper organization has approximately 2,000 members but no office. In fact, the organization continues successfully on a volunteer basis without officers, structure, dues, etc.

In recent years, interest and demand for peppers has increased dramatically worldwide and peppers are no longer considered a minor crop in the global market.  "Chile is now considered the No. 1 spice in the world.  Interest in Capsicum improvement and diversity continues as the demand for better peppers increases annually. All pepper types including bell, long green/red chile, high color paprika, ancho, pimiento, cayenne, tabasco, jalapeno, yellow pickling, serrano, and cherry peppers are a focus of the conference.

The aim of the conference is to bring together those with an interest in the current status of pepper research, extension and technology.  Topics include: 

• Breeding and Genetics (germplasm evaluation and utilization, crop physiology and technology
• Horticultural Management and Production (production methods, cultural systems and sustainable approaches;)
• Integrated Pest Management (insect and disease management, biological control)
• Post Harvest Issues (post harvest physiology and technology, economics, marketing and trade)

The pepper conference gives growers, industry, processors, brokers, and scientists a place to make new business relationships, meet specialists in the different fields, and have access to the latest technology, products and services to perform their respective jobs better.

This year’s conference was a great success drawing rave reviews from attendees.  Many research scientists have attended religiously over he years, representing various disciplines of pepper research, but it's not all work and no play.  In addition to the over 30 oral presentations and 15 posters presented this year, the conference traditionally features lots of time for networking.  Interspersed with good science was good food including a beach party dinner, closing banquet, good music, and field tours, to spice things up.

A pre-conference tour held on Sunday before the opening conference was well attended and gave more adventurous guests a chance to explore Southwest Florida and surrounding natural wonders such as the Everglades, Ten Thousand Islands and the Big Cypress National Preserve.

Highlights of the meeting including several presentations by noted pepper experts including:  Dr. Jean Andrews,  "The Pepper Lady,” a diminutive, outspoken, and endlessly energetic octogenarian, who has written several books on peppers, outlined for the group the unique and amazing history of peppers and their impact on human exploration and civilization.

Another prominent speaker was Paul Bosland, a Regents Professor in horticulture at New Mexico State University and Director of the Chile Pepper Institute. Popularly known as the "Chileman, Paul leads the chile breeding and genetics research program at NMSU. Dr. Bosland is recognized nationally/internationally as one of the foremost experts on Capsicum. He has published more than 100 scientific papers dealing with chile pepper and is co-author of 6 books. He serves as the chairman of the annual New Mexico Chile Conference and has served as chairman of the USDA Capsicum Crop Advisory Committee.

To round out the keynote presentations was Dr. Allan K. Stoner, USDA, Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, Maryland. Dr. Stoner has been employed by the USDA, Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, Maryland since 1965. Initially, he conducted research on insect resistant tomatoes and later his responsibilities included the breeding of widely adapted, high quality, multiple disease and pest resistant tomatoes. This work resulted in the release of nine cultivars adapted to the Eastern U.S. and numerous multiple disease and insect resistant breeding lines.

All day field tours on the last day of the conference gave participants an opportunity to visit state-of-the-art commercial production fields, packing facilities and breeding stations around Southwest Florida.

For those that were unable to attend this years International Pepper Conference, a quantity of abstract books are available and a copy may be obtained by contacting the Conference Organizer, Gene McAvoy at 863-674-4092 or by email GmcAvoy@ifas.ufl.edu.

(Gene McAvoy, Hendry County)