ISHS Acta Horticulturae 589: X International Asparagus Symposium
INFLUENCE OF PLANTING DEPTH AND PLANT POPULATION ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF GREEN ASPARAGUS |
| Authors: | M.I. González, A. del Pozo |
| Keywords: | Asparagus officinalis, spear diameter, in-row distance, exportable yield. |
| Abstract:
The effect on asparagus yield and quality of three planting depth (10, 20 and 30 cm) and two plant densities (22000 and 33000 plants ha-1) was assessed in a volcanic soil in the subhumid Mediterranean climatic zone. The cultivar used was UC-157 F1, and the experimental design was randomized complete block in a factorial arrangement, with four replications. Plots were harvested daily during four seasons (1997-2000), and number, weight and diameter of spears were determined after trimming to 18 cm. Marketable yield was determined as the total yield minus culls, and exportable yield as the marketable 7-17 mm diameter spears. No interaction between plant density and planting depth, and no effect of plant density were detected on cumulative marketable yield and percentage of 7-17 mm diameter spears. The marketable yield declined when crowns were planted at 30 cm, although the individual weight of spears increased. This was explained by a decrease in the number of spears per m2. The highest proportion of exportable yield (7-17 mm) was obtained in the shallower planting depths (10 and 20 cm). | |
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