Abstract
Asparagus spears were cut to lengths of 14 cm (all green) and 17.8 cm (including butt) and held either in the shade or exposed to sun in the field for 0, 9, and 24 hr and analyzed for phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) activity and shear‐press firmness. Both shear‐press value and PAL activity increased on a fresh‐weight basis during post‐harvest holding regardless of cut or holding condition. However, markedly higher shear values and PAL activities were found in both spears cut “all green” and those held in the sun.