Growth and Development of Young Asparagus Plants in Response to N Fertilization

Abstract

One-year-old crowns of Asparagus officinalis L. cv. Princeville were grown for up to 2 years in pots containing a mineral soil. Nitrogen concentrations ranged from O to 340 kg N/ha. Increasing N fertilizer level resulted in a decrease in total crown fructose concentration and an increase in fern growth, both leveling off at higher N levels. Crown growth was maximized at intermediate N levels. To obtain maximum crown growth and total fructose concentration, while avoiding the excessive fern growth associated with higher N fertilizer levels, ≈57 kg N/ha should be applied to asparagus during the 2nd and 3rd years of growth.