Establishment and Yield of Asparagus as Influenced by Planting and Irrigation Method

Abstract

New Jersey `Syn 4' asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, L.) was grown on a sandy loam soil to compare plant survival and yield of asparagus grown from crowns and transplants under four irrigation treatments: sprinkler (SPR), surface trickle (ST), subsurface trickle (SST), and no irrigation (NI). While plant survival of crowns was not appreciably influenced by any irrigation treatment, survival of transplants was significantly increased by SST. Total and marketable yields from crowns and transplants were similar in the first harvest season (year 3). However, in years 4 and 5, the yield of crowns was higher than that of transplants. Subsurface trickle increased yield from transplants in years 4 and 5 and increased yield from crowns in year 5. All irrigation methods significantly increased both spear production (spear/ha) and average spear weight. Subsurface trickle irrigation resulted in the largest increase over NI in total yield and spear production.