Articles
Long-term application of best management practices affects yields and root carbohydrate content in asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) (UK)
Article number
1376_27
Pages
193 – 200
Language
English
Abstract
This study evaluated the impact of a suite of best management practices (BMPs) on yield and storage root carbohydrate (CHO) content in asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) as compared with conventional practice.
A long-term field trial (4.5 ha) was established in 2016 (Gijnlim A crowns) under the AHDB Horticulture Project FV 450 in collaboration with Cobrey Farms.
Commercial yields were monitored in 2018 (28 days; 19 cuts), 2019 (59 days; 51 cuts), 2020 (72 days; 65 cuts) and 2021 (65 days; 48 cuts). Root CHO content was determined preharvest in March 2019, 2020 and 2021. BMPs included: 1) companion crops NDASH rye (Secale cereale L.), mustard (Sinapis alba L.); 2) interrow surface mulch applications (straw mulch and PAS 100 compost) in combination with shallow soil disturbance (SSD)); 3) modifications of conventional tillage practice; and 4) a zero-tillage option.
Re-ridging (R) or not ridging (NR) was applied to all treatments.
Non-ridged rye was associated with yield reductions of >20% as compared to conventional practice between 2018 and 2020. PAS 100 compost applied to asparagus interrows (25 t ha‑1 year‑1) in combination with SSD without re-ridging resulted in significant yield increases of 20, 10, 34 and 84% in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 as compared to the conventional practice, respectively.
The zero-tillage treatment was also associated with significant 14, 17, 22 and 57% yield uplift as compared with conventional practice in those same years, respectively.
Whilst interrow SSD of bare soil treatments had no significant impact on asparagus yields, re-ridging negatively affected yields of treatments with bare soil interrows without SSD. No correlation between total root CHO and asparagus yields was observed in any year.
This study confirms that asparagus yields can be significantly improved through implementation of several of the BMPs investigated.
A long-term field trial (4.5 ha) was established in 2016 (Gijnlim A crowns) under the AHDB Horticulture Project FV 450 in collaboration with Cobrey Farms.
Commercial yields were monitored in 2018 (28 days; 19 cuts), 2019 (59 days; 51 cuts), 2020 (72 days; 65 cuts) and 2021 (65 days; 48 cuts). Root CHO content was determined preharvest in March 2019, 2020 and 2021. BMPs included: 1) companion crops NDASH rye (Secale cereale L.), mustard (Sinapis alba L.); 2) interrow surface mulch applications (straw mulch and PAS 100 compost) in combination with shallow soil disturbance (SSD)); 3) modifications of conventional tillage practice; and 4) a zero-tillage option.
Re-ridging (R) or not ridging (NR) was applied to all treatments.
Non-ridged rye was associated with yield reductions of >20% as compared to conventional practice between 2018 and 2020. PAS 100 compost applied to asparagus interrows (25 t ha‑1 year‑1) in combination with SSD without re-ridging resulted in significant yield increases of 20, 10, 34 and 84% in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 as compared to the conventional practice, respectively.
The zero-tillage treatment was also associated with significant 14, 17, 22 and 57% yield uplift as compared with conventional practice in those same years, respectively.
Whilst interrow SSD of bare soil treatments had no significant impact on asparagus yields, re-ridging negatively affected yields of treatments with bare soil interrows without SSD. No correlation between total root CHO and asparagus yields was observed in any year.
This study confirms that asparagus yields can be significantly improved through implementation of several of the BMPs investigated.
Publication
Authors
L. Mašková, R.W. Simmons, L.K. Deeks, S. De Baets, D.T. Drost
Keywords
Asparagus officinalis L., straw mulch, compost, companion crops, Secale cereale L., root soluble carbohydrate content
Groups involved
Online Articles (34)