ISHS Acta Horticulturae 776: XI International Asparagus Symposium
UPDATE ON THE ASPARAGUS BREEDING PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE |
| Authors: | N.K. Stone, M.L. Roose |
| Keywords: | yield, quality, post-harvest, Phytophthora, Asparagus officinalis L. |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.776.51 |
| Abstract:
The U.C. asparagus breeding program aims to develop improved cultivars adapted to California production conditions. Results of three recent field trials, including the Third International Asparagus Cultivar Trial show that 'UC115' produced earlier and higher marketable yields than the current standard, 'UC157'. The characteristics of 'UC115' are summarized. The planned release in 2005 of 'UC115' will mark the first new cultivar to come out of the U.C. Riverside breeding program since 'Ida Lea' was released in 1983. Several hybrids having a newly selected parent from backcrossed California x European descent have performed very well in terms of yield and quality. In 2003 we concluded a trial designed to evaluate Phytophthora tolerance by recording survival and vigor among 18 fall-planted hybrids. All seedlings were inoculated with one isolate of Phytophthora from Riverside. Significant response to Ridomil treatment and cultivar was seen in terms of plant survival and vigor for all cultivars tested. One new hybrid was quite tolerant, but 'Ida Lea', which was highly susceptible to Phytophthora in similar studies in New Zealand, appeared relatively tolerant in this study. 'UC115', 'Atlas', and a few experimental cultivars from New Zealand, selected for Phytophthora tolerance, appeared to be susceptible to the Riverside isolate. Overall, results suggest that the specific isolate or location strongly influenced Phytophthora tolerance ratings. | |
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