ISHS Acta Horticulturae 247: Research and Development Conference on Vegetables, the Market and the Producer
ASPARAGUS CULTIVAR EVALUATION IN ARID CENTRAL AUSTRALIA |
| Authors: | M. Hoult, L. Martin |
| Abstract:
The performance of eleven asparagus cultivars under arid central Australian climatic and edaphic conditions were evaluated in a replicated field trial at the Arid Zone Research Institute, Alice Springs, commencing in October 1985. Results of the first full harvest taken from mid-late July to early October 1987 are presented. Cultivars of Californian origin, particularly UC157 F1 and Ida Lea F1, performed better than those of New Jersey and Dutch origin. UC157 F1 and Ida Lea F1 recorded the highest marketable yield of 3.11 and 3.01 t/ha and percent marketable spears of 69.0 and 71.8 respectively. The highest mean spear weight (19.9 g/spear) and the lowest anthocyanin scores and percent culls seedy (or blown) were recorded by both cultivars. UC157 F1 and Ida Lea F1 commenced spear production by 27 July, 1987 produced 50% of the total harvest of marketable spears by 31 August, 1987 and completed the harvest by 14 September, 1987. Based on the above results, UC157 F1 and Ida Lea F1 are suitable for commercial production of early asparagus in Central Australia. | |
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