Influence of Planting Depth and Interval to Initial Harvest on Yield and Plant Response of Asparagus

Abstract

Four planting depths and two time intervals (1 or 2 years) between transplanting and initial year of harvest of asparagus ( Asparagus officinalis L.) yield were compared for 4 years. Spear emergence and initial spring harvest date were delayed and susceptibility to spring frost injury was decreased with increasing planting depth (from 5.0 to 20.0 cm). Over years, crown depth increased for the shallowest planting and decreased for the deepest planting. Harvesting after 1 year vs. 2 years from planting reduced yield. There were no significant interactions between year of initial harvest and depth of planting.