Articles
Long-term white asparagus production method using mother stalk bending and flashspun nonwoven fabric as a covering material
Article number
1301_15
Pages
103 – 110
Language
English
Abstract
White asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) are ordinarily produced from early spring to early summer using molded soil or light blocking film during a period in which daytime temperatures are moderate.
Since no means of producing white asparagus from summer to autumn season has been developed previously, the goal of this study was to determine a viable method of white asparagus production that could be used during the summer.
To this end, a white asparagus harvesting method which incorporates both mother stem bending and a flashspun nonwoven covering material was developed.
The number of white spears produced using this method was 36-71% of the number of green colored spears produced using a conventional mother stalk cultivation method and 55-83% of the number of green colored spears produced using the stem bending method.
Over a 2-year study period, white spear yield was approximately 9,000-10,000 kg ha‑1, a value equal to 57 to 81% of yields produced using conventional methods.
Spear weight (23.6-31.9 g) and percentage of marketable yield (68-96%) of spears produced using this methodology were both significantly greater than that of spears produced using conventional methods.
Air temperature under the flashspun nonwoven covers did not exceed 37°C in summer time.
The methodology outlined will provide an economically viable and efficient means of white asparagus production for the summer to autumn season.
Since no means of producing white asparagus from summer to autumn season has been developed previously, the goal of this study was to determine a viable method of white asparagus production that could be used during the summer.
To this end, a white asparagus harvesting method which incorporates both mother stem bending and a flashspun nonwoven covering material was developed.
The number of white spears produced using this method was 36-71% of the number of green colored spears produced using a conventional mother stalk cultivation method and 55-83% of the number of green colored spears produced using the stem bending method.
Over a 2-year study period, white spear yield was approximately 9,000-10,000 kg ha‑1, a value equal to 57 to 81% of yields produced using conventional methods.
Spear weight (23.6-31.9 g) and percentage of marketable yield (68-96%) of spears produced using this methodology were both significantly greater than that of spears produced using conventional methods.
Air temperature under the flashspun nonwoven covers did not exceed 37°C in summer time.
The methodology outlined will provide an economically viable and efficient means of white asparagus production for the summer to autumn season.
Publication
Authors
H. Kohmura, T. Mihara, T. Matsukawa, A. Tanaka
Keywords
Asparagus officinalis, film-cover, flashspun nonwoven fabric, mother stalk cultivation method, stem bending, white asparagus
Groups involved
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