Dynamic Growth Characteristics in Seedling Asparagus

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Abstract
Growth studies of field-seeded hybrid and open-pollinated asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) were conducted to determine the differences in shoot, bud, and crown growth during the first season after seeding and to determine growth relationships between shoot and crown variables that indicate critical periods of bud and crown production. F1 hybrid (UC 157) and UC800 open-pollinated (OP) asparagus seedlings emerged 4 to 6 weeks after seeding. A lag phase of shoot and root growth lasted 4 to 5 weeks after emergence in both cultivars. UC157 initiated more roots and accumulated more fern and crown fresh weight than UC800 early in the season, but by harvest crowns were not different in root and bud number, fresh weight, or fructose content (crown quality). Root/shoot ratios increased from a 2:1 ratio 6 weeks after emergence to 8:1 (UC157) and 6:1 (UC800) 23 weeks after emergence. Shoot/bud ratios stabilized from an approximate 2:1 ratio initially to an approximate 1:2 ratio 18 weeks after emergence. Bud production in the F1 and OP cultivars increased 6 and 10 weeks after emergence, respectively, and continued unabated up to crown harvest 23 weeks after emergence. Shoot number and fresh weight were not correlated highly with bud number. The number of roots vs. buds and the crown vs. fern fresh weights were correlated highly and were the best indicators of quality crown production. Vigorous fern development throughout the growing season increased the potential to produce higher-quality large crowns.

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