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Prepared by Kim Best, Project Leader for Horticulture Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Abstract
An asparagus variety trial was established in 1994 to compare selections from the Guelph Asparagus Breeding Program to standard varieties. The stand was considered mature in 1999, thus the standard six week harvest was carried out in 1999 and 2000. In 1999, the new asparagus variety, 'Guelph Millennium' surpassed the standard variety, 'Jersey Giant', to produce the best yield of good quality spears. 'Guelph Millennium' and 'G178 x G305' produced the highest yields in 2000. 'G052 x G305' and 'Jersey Giant' also produced good yields of good quality spears. The objectives of this trial were to compare the productivity, marketability and overall performance of 10 varieties of asparagus. Eight varieties from the Guelph Asparagus Breeding Program and two standard varieties were included. This trial consisted of ten varieties of asparagus seeded in 200 cell trays and transplanted June 24, 1994, in three replications. Two standard varieties 'Jersey Giant' and 'Viking KB3' were compared to 8 varieties from the University of Guelph. One of these selections was named 'Guelph Millennium' in 1999. Guard rows were established around all three replications. Rows were 4.8 m long with plants 30 cm apart within the row. Row spacing was 1.2 m. A total of 15 plants per variety were planted per replication. Harvest of this trial began on May 15 and continued seven days per week until June 25 for a total of six weeks. This is the recommended harvest period for a mature asparagus stand. Asparagus can be harvested for six weeks in the third year after establishment and subsequent years. Straw was laid in 1999 and 2000 as mulch between rows and around the perimeter of the plot to assist in weed control. Regular pesticide applications were required throughout the harvest period for asparagus beetle control. Overall, the growth and vigor of the plants in this trial was very good. Plant growth within varieties appeared even. 'G024 x G305', named in 1998, 'Guelph Millennium' and 'G178 x G305' continued to produce the greatest yields. The spears were very straight and compact and of very good quality. 'G052 x G305' and the standard 'Jersey Giant' produced a good yield of excellent quality spears. Several other selections from the Guelph breeding program performed better than the standard variety 'Viking KB3'. Refer to Tables 1 and 2. Six years of field trials at the University of Guelph have indicated that the yield of 'Guelph Millennium' improved over time. This was also apparent in the Nova Scotia trial. 'Guelph Millennium' and 'G178 x G305' have performed well in Ontario and Nova Scotia and are both recommended for production by the breeders Professor Dave Wolyn and Paul Banks, University of Guelph. One selection from this program, 'G052 x G305' has been discontinued by the breeders. Data from the four harvest years, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 is included in the following tables. 'Guelph Millennium' and 'G178 x G305' produced the greatest yield of high quality spears. 'G052 x G305' and the standard 'Jersey Giant' also produced a good yield of good quality spears. Several other selections from the Guelph breeding program performed better than the standard variety, 'Viking KB3'. 2000 was only the second year this trial was harvested for six weeks, which is the recommended harvest period for mature stands of asparagus. This trial should be continued in 2001 to enable collection of three full years of data on the mature stand. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Questions regarding this trial may be directed to Horticulture Nova Scotia, Blair House, Kentville Agricultural Centre, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada B4N 1J5 PH: 902-678-9335 FAX: 902-678-1280 E-mail: hortns@ns.sympatico.ca ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Commitment from the following co-operators in this 6 year trial is appreciated: NSDAM Seasonal Vegetable Research staff 1995-2000; Charles Thompson, former Vegetable Specialist, NSDAM; Norman Goodyear, NSAC; and Horticulture Nova Scotia. Thanks are also extended to the AAFC Farm Services Section for their assistance in land preparation and irrigation. In 1995-1999 support for this trial, both monetary and in-kind, was provided by Agri-Focus 2000, the Production Technology Branch, NSDAM and Horticulture Nova Scotia.
*Rating of 1 to 9 with 9
most desirable and 5 average.
**Trialed as G024 x G305
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