NuMex Vaquero

‘NuMex Vaquero’ is an open-pollinated jalapeño that yields very well in southern New Mexico. It was released in 1997 by Dr. Bosland and Dr. Eric Votava. ‘NuMex Vaquero’ has ‘Early Jalapeño,’ ‘TAM Jalapeño,’ and ‘Criollo de Morelos 334’ in its pedigree. ‘Criollo de Morelos 334’ is a phytophthora blight resistant accession, but ‘NuMex Vaquero’ was not released as a tolerant cultivar because greenhouse testing indicated it was susceptible to aggressive strains of New Mexico Phytophthora capsici. However, it may exhibit field tolerance in some growing conditions. The pod is green without purpling and has smooth skin (no corkiness), a blunted tip, rounded shoulders, multiple locules, and uniform heat. Fruits are 2.5 inches long and almost one inch wide. The heat level of ‘NuMex Vaquero’ is 25,000 to 30,000 SHU, similar to ‘Early Jalapeño.’ It has good jalapeño flavor with sweet walls. At the third node, the plants are about 6 inches tall, and are about 19 inches wide. In 1996, ‘NuMex Vaquero’ yielded 24,000 lbs/acre, the same as the F1 hybrid jalapeño ‘Mitla.’