Deep-frozen peppers, a very Calabrian production line

摘要

An account is given of a project in the province of Cosenza in which the firm Gias, suppliers of well known brand names in the food trade, organised the production of peppers for deep freezing. Nursery-produced pepper seedlings were transplanted in May into carefully prepared soil and given very low rates of N and P in fertirrigation during the first 2 weeks. Aphids were controlled with 2-3 pyrethroid treatments and bacterial diseases by repeated applications of copper oxychloride and calcium. A first picking of slightly under ripe fruit lightened the load to facilitate the development of perfect, well-coloured peppers. These went straight to be processed, thus preserving the quality. Yields of 300-450 quintals/ha were obtained with 3 pickings. The aim is to make full use of local resources and establish a reputation for high quality, deep frozen vegetables from Calabria..