ISHS Acta Horticulturae 271: VII International Asparagus Symposium
FORCING OF ASPARAGUS IN CLIMATISED ROOMS DURING THE OFF-SEASON |
| Authors: | J.Tj.K. Poll, C.F.G. Kramer, G. van Kruistum |
| Keywords: | asparagus, off-season forcing, yield, fibre content, economy of production |
| Abstract:
Limitations in glasshouse forcing as well as high prices obtained for off-season asparagus resulted in forcing experiments in climatised rooms between 1979 and 1987. Two year old crowns forced in potting-soil gave a 39% increase in weight per crown and a 20% increase in average spearweight as compared to forcing in water. When using three year old crowns no difference in average spearweight occurred but the weight per crown increased by 36% when forcing in potting-soil compared to water. Based on a production per m2, 2 and 3 year old crowns forced in potting-soil yielded 4 and 7 kg respectively. Dry fibre content of forced asparagus spears from climatised rooms ranged from 0.04 to 0.19% depending on cultivar with Jersey Giant the least and Limbras 22 having the most fibre. Glasshouse asparagus had a fibre content of 0.34%. Annual costs between both systems show large differences which are due to a higher production/m2 and the possibility of several forcings in climatised rooms. | |
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