ISHS Acta Horticulturae 271: VII International Asparagus Symposium
PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF SUMMER- AND FALL-HARVESTED ASPARAGUS |
| Author: | Robert J. Dufault |
| Abstract:
This study was conducted to determine the initial possibility of forcing 'UC157 F1' asparagus into production from May to October in coastal South Carolina. In order to force spear production, the ferns in separate, replicated plots were mowed in May, June, July, August, September, or October. The plots were uniformly harvested of 5 spears/plant or 6 weeks of harvest, whichever came first. Yields were highest from the normal spring March harvest followed in sequence by forced harvests in 1) July, 2) August, 3) June and September. Asparagus yields were lowest from forced harvests in May, but negligible spears emerged from October forcing. Production of jumbo spears (> 16 mm spear diameter) was greatest in July forced harvests than any other harvest period. Production of standard spears (11–16mm spear diameter) progressively decreased, while production of small spears (10mm or less) increased, as time of harvest season extended later into the summer and fall. Recovery from harvest pressures, after June and July forced harvests (as indicated by the number of stalks to emerge two months after harvest), was better than all other forced harvests, but significantly lower than normal spring harvest. Stands were not affected by harvest season. Of all forced harvests evaluated, July forcing has the best potential for highest yields. This research continues until the 1991 to determine the long term effects of forcing asparagus out-of-season. | |
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