Articles
ASPARAGUS-THE WORLD SCENE
Article number
271_1
Pages
25 – 32
Language
Abstract
Traditionally asparagus has been grown in temperate climates, with harvesting being restricted to the spring and early summer period.
In recent years there has been a growing interest (particularly by supermarkets) in developed and affluent countries to have fresh asparagus available year round.
Although it is possible to obtain high quality asparagus for 3 months in the northern hemisphere spring, and for 3 month in the southern hemisphere spring this still leaves a 6 months gap, when the fresh product must come from the tropics.
There is an increasing interest in the production of asparagus in the tropics, not only for fresh export but also for processing, as labour is a major cost of production, and most of these tropical countries have low labour costs.
The appropriate technology to produce high quality asparagus in the tropics (both humid and arid) is still being developed, but it is clear that high temperature stress, and disease are major factors which can influence productivity and quality.
In recent years there has been a growing interest (particularly by supermarkets) in developed and affluent countries to have fresh asparagus available year round.
Although it is possible to obtain high quality asparagus for 3 months in the northern hemisphere spring, and for 3 month in the southern hemisphere spring this still leaves a 6 months gap, when the fresh product must come from the tropics.
There is an increasing interest in the production of asparagus in the tropics, not only for fresh export but also for processing, as labour is a major cost of production, and most of these tropical countries have low labour costs.
The appropriate technology to produce high quality asparagus in the tropics (both humid and arid) is still being developed, but it is clear that high temperature stress, and disease are major factors which can influence productivity and quality.
Publication
Authors
M. A. Nichols
Keywords
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