Articles
PERFORMANCE OF ASPARAGUS CLONES AT FOUR LOCATIONS IN NEW ZEALAND
Article number
415_62
Pages
423 – 430
Language
Abstract
Forty-eight clones and two standard hybrid cultivars were planted in replicated field trials at 4 sites in asparagus production areas of New Zealand in spring/summer 1989. Preliminary data were collected in 1990 and 1991 to evaluate colour, earliness, spear quality, Stemphylium resistance, and plant numbers.
In spring 1991, a 6-week harvest was conducted at 3 of the sites.
Results from this harvest indicated that although none of the clones significantly out-yielded the standard Jersey Giant, there was some consistency of performance of the best and poorest 10 across sites.
The poorest 10 clones were excluded from the subsequent harvest.
In spring 1992, each trial was harvested for the full season and the export grade spear yield was recorded.
Some of the clones produced double the yield of Jersey Giant at individual sites, and averaged about 50% greater across sites.
Three clones exhibited broad adaptability and three others produced high yields at single sites.
Organoleptic evaluation of 4 of the clones by trained taste panel indicated that all were acceptable, and were no different from the standards.
However, those clones that out-yielded Jersey Giant had noticeably higher expression of purple coloration on the spears, which is a contra-indicator of quality in one major export market.
The cost of tissue culturing clonal material for field-scale production is a factor in a grower’s assessment of whether to plant clonal or hybrid cultivars.
In spring 1991, a 6-week harvest was conducted at 3 of the sites.
Results from this harvest indicated that although none of the clones significantly out-yielded the standard Jersey Giant, there was some consistency of performance of the best and poorest 10 across sites.
The poorest 10 clones were excluded from the subsequent harvest.
In spring 1992, each trial was harvested for the full season and the export grade spear yield was recorded.
Some of the clones produced double the yield of Jersey Giant at individual sites, and averaged about 50% greater across sites.
Three clones exhibited broad adaptability and three others produced high yields at single sites.
Organoleptic evaluation of 4 of the clones by trained taste panel indicated that all were acceptable, and were no different from the standards.
However, those clones that out-yielded Jersey Giant had noticeably higher expression of purple coloration on the spears, which is a contra-indicator of quality in one major export market.
The cost of tissue culturing clonal material for field-scale production is a factor in a grower’s assessment of whether to plant clonal or hybrid cultivars.
Publication
Authors
H.A. Fraser-Kevern, W.A. Jermyn, W.J. Harvey, J.C.H. Allison
Keywords
Hybrid, clones, asparagus
Online Articles (67)