Comparison of the growth and development of young asparagus plants established from seedling transplants and by direct seeding

Abstract

Greenhouse-raised asparagus seedlings were transplanted into the field in early November, and their growth in the following 12 months was compared with that of plants direct-seeded on the same date. By late January, the transplants were equivalent in size to the direct-seeded plants at the end of the season. It was estimated that 10 weeks in the greenhouse were equivalent to 12 weeks of field growth. In late April, when plant growth ceased, transplants had produced 24 shoots, 55 buds and 143 storage roots, whereas the direct-seeded plants had produced 12 shoots, 22 buds, and 42 storage roots. Two harvests were made at the start of the second season. Total plant dry weight decreased during shoot production, with the assimilate being supplied for shoot growth from the storage roots. © 1982 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.