The cultivation of asparagus ( Asparagus officinalis) has a good reputation as a difficult and demanding crop. At Gardenprue we are going to try to help you get to know and get the most out of asparagus cultivation, knowing the needs of fertilizer, irrigation, climate and other means that we will keep in mind at all times.
Index
CLIMATIC NEEDS IN ASPARAGUS CULTIVATION
As we have commented before, cultivation is complicated , among other things due to the sensitivity of asparagus to changes in temperature. It develops in conditions of 18 and 25 ºC. If it falls below 15-16 ºC, vegetative development is paralyzed.
Asparagus growth
EDAPHOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS OF ASPARAGUS
The soil has to be properly worked for the incorporation of the crop into the soil. A deep plow is previously carried out, with an important bottom fertilizer and a texture that varies between sandy loam or silty (clay soils are not very advisable). Regarding Ph, the crop requires basic soils , with adequate lime content. Values between 7 and 8 are recommended, 6.5 is admissible. Above 8 Mg and B are blocked.
LIGHT NEEDS
In the case of green asparagus, the light requirements are high. It is green due to its chlorophyll content, which means that at least 2/3 of the asparagus must receive direct lighting. A variation of the green color defines the quality variation of the product at the time of its commercialization.
ASPARAGUS CULTIVATION THROUGH SEEDS
Another condition of the crop. If you want to have asparagus through seeds you can collect only from the third year.
CROP PLANTING FRAMEWORK
Photo: agrolanzarote
Between 20,000 and 30,000 plants are produced per hectare. That hectare is distributed as follows. Distance between floors of 0.25 and 0.3 and separation between lines of 1 meter.
SUBSCRIBER
Asparagus requires medium amounts of fertilizers or fertilizers, although the time of incorporation is more important than the amount added to the crop.
A background fertilizer, before planting, can be the following:
- Manure: 30,000-60,000 kg / ha. The average quantity is usually 50,000 kg / ha
- Nitrogen: 150 kg / ha
- Phosphorus: 90 kg / ha
- Potassium: 250 kg / ha
- Manure: 15,000 kg / ha
- Nitrogen: 150 kg / ha
- Phosphorus: from 50 to 100 kg / ha
- Potassium: from 150 to 250 kg / ha
- Nitrogen: 150-200 kg / ha
- Phosphorus: from 50 to 100 kg / ha
- Potassium: from 150 to 250 kg / ha
The cover fertilizer will consist of 2-3 nitrogen contributions outside the budding season, from the months of June, July and August, ceasing to pay after the last irrigation.
ASPARAGUS IRRIGATION
There are 3 well-defined types of irrigation in the cultivation of asparagus . The first type is carried out in the plantation, the second during vegetative growth (annual development of the aerial part) and the third during the harvest season. In all 3 the amounts of irrigation vary so caution must be exercised when watering, since excess water leads to root rot and chlorosis in young plants.
The amount of water according to irrigation is as follows:
- First irrigation (plantation irrigation): only maintain soil moisture (1-2 times a week).
- Second irrigation (development of the aerial part): 800-1,000 m 3 / ha in total (1-2 weekly irrigations).
- Third irrigation (prior to harvest): 200-300 m 3 / ha in total at the beginning of the period, and 30-40 m 3 / ha during harvest, on a weekly basis.
MOST USED VARIETIES
| Variety | Breeder | Calibre | Production | Precocity | Color | Head | Utilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huetor Purple | Population | Medium, fine | Baja | Baja | Dark green | Closed | Verde |
| Mary Washington | U. California | Half | Media | Media | Medium green | Little closed | Green and white |
| UC 157 F1 | U. California | Half | Media | Media | Medium green | Closed | Green and white |
| Atlas F1 | Vilmorin | Medium-thick | High | High | Medium green | Very closed | Verde |
| Great F1 | R. Arnedo | Medium-thick | Very high | High | Medium green | Very closed | Verde |
| Apollo F1 | R. Arnedo | Great | High | High average | Medium green | Closed | Verde |
| Plaverd (H.Doble) | Plate | Half | High | Media | Dark green | Very closed | Green and white |
| Darbonne-3 | Darbonne | Medium-thick | High average | Media | Medium green | Little closed | White and green |
| I quote F1 (H. de Clon) | Planasa | Half | High | Media | Medium green | Little closed | Green and white |
| Jersey Giant F1 | Fitó | Thick | High average | High | Dark green | Closed | Verde |
| Steline (H. of clone) | Planasa | Half | Media | Media | Medium green | Closed | Green and white |
| Desto F1 (H. of clone) | Plate | Medium-thick | Media | High | Medium green | Closed | Verde |
ECONOMIC INVESTMENT IN THE IMPLANTATION OF ASPARAGUS CULTIVATION
CROPS TO AVOID PRIOR TO PLANTING ASPARAGUS
PROBLEMS AND CAUSES PHYSICALLY DETECTED IN THE ASPARAGUS SHOOT
FLACID TURION: cause attributable to water deficit.
GRANEADO TURION: possible water variations and temperature fluctuations.
FLOWERED TURION: excess temperature or low carbohydrate content.
DESICCATED TURION: boron deficiency.
HOOK SHAPED TURION: possible calcium (Ca) deficiency or a negative Ca / B ratio.
SIGMOID TURION: Possible poor relationship between calcium and phosphorus.
RIBBED TURION: calcium deficiencies and possible negative variations in irrigation.
HOLLOW TURION: lack of calcium and excess of nitrogen in the fertigation plan.
PALETTE TURION: possible phosphorus deficiency or poor genetic selection.