Description of high-yield asparagus cultivars using 1-year-old plants

Abstract

ABSTRACT The cultivation of 1-year-old Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) plants in temperate regions is increasing, but few reports have examined the differences in their yield potential. Asparagus growth and the yield of cultivars were investigated in four cultivation trials to determine high-yield cultivars of 1-year-old plants. These cultivars were divided into early sprouting cultivars with high early yields, such as ‘Patron’ and ‘Early California,’ and late sprouting ones with high yields, such as ‘Vegalim’ and ‘Grande.’ Maximum stem diameter was not affected by year. This indicates that cultivars with larger stem diameters may have a better yield potential at the end of the growth period. Maximum stem diameter measurements could be used for the initial selection of cultivars with high-yield potential for the whole harvest cultivation method for 1-year-old plants, which may reduce the labor required for breeding new cultivars.