Articles
COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF HIGH QUALITY HYBRID ASPARAGUS SEED WITH HIGH GENETIC PURITY
Article number
479_55
Pages
407 – 414
Language
Abstract
The production of hybrid seed with high germination, vigor, and genetic purity is important for a high value perennial crop such as asparagus.
Careful propagation of parent plants, separated in time and space from other asparagus plants is the critical first step.
Isolation of seed fields from commercial fields and volunteer male plants by 2 km or more has provided 98–99% genetic purity.
Seed produced in screened field cages has shown 100% genetic purity.
An ongoing program to identify and destroy volunteer asparagus seedlings within and surrounding the seed field is necessary to maintain genetic purity.
Application of pre-emergence herbicides in combination with directed post-emergence applications of glyphosate have controlled volunteer seedlings.
Removal of bees from the seed field after pollination is completed on the main flush of shoots has reduced the percentage of immature seeds and resulted in increased percent germination.
Gentle harvesting and procedures to prevent heating of berries have been developed to maintain high seed germination.
Seeds are treated with sodium hypochlorite to destroy fungi and bacteria on the seed surface.
The male characteristic of male asparagus hybrids is an effective indicator of genetic purity.
Genetic impurity is evident in the production field as female plants with berries.
Samples of seed lots are grown to flowering and the presence of females determined so that the genetic purity of the seed lot is known before seed is sold.
Careful propagation of parent plants, separated in time and space from other asparagus plants is the critical first step.
Isolation of seed fields from commercial fields and volunteer male plants by 2 km or more has provided 98–99% genetic purity.
Seed produced in screened field cages has shown 100% genetic purity.
An ongoing program to identify and destroy volunteer asparagus seedlings within and surrounding the seed field is necessary to maintain genetic purity.
Application of pre-emergence herbicides in combination with directed post-emergence applications of glyphosate have controlled volunteer seedlings.
Removal of bees from the seed field after pollination is completed on the main flush of shoots has reduced the percentage of immature seeds and resulted in increased percent germination.
Gentle harvesting and procedures to prevent heating of berries have been developed to maintain high seed germination.
Seeds are treated with sodium hypochlorite to destroy fungi and bacteria on the seed surface.
The male characteristic of male asparagus hybrids is an effective indicator of genetic purity.
Genetic impurity is evident in the production field as female plants with berries.
Samples of seed lots are grown to flowering and the presence of females determined so that the genetic purity of the seed lot is known before seed is sold.
Publication
Authors
S. Walker, Lon K. Inaba, S. A. Garrison, C. Chin, W. Odermott
Keywords
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