Key Points of High-Yield Cultivation and Management Techniques for Asparagus
Asparagus is one of the highly efficient economic crops; a single planting can be harvested for more than 10 years. The annual asparagus yield per mu generally reaches 2,300 kg, and the output value per mu reaches over 10,000 yuan. Fresh asparagus is rich in protein, cellulose and various trace elements, and has effects such as promoting blood circulation and relieving menstruation, as well as preventing cancer. Its high-yield cultivation and management techniques should focus on the following...
Asparagus is one of the highly efficient economic crops; a single planting can be harvested for more than 10 years. The annual asparagus yield per mu generally reaches 2,300 kg, and the output value per mu reaches over 10,000 yuan. Fresh asparagus is rich in protein, cellulose and various trace elements, and has effects such as promoting blood circulation and relieving menstruation, as well as preventing cancer. Its high-yield cultivation and management techniques should focus on the following aspects.
I. Cultivating Strong Seedlings
To achieve high yield in asparagus, in addition to selecting superior varieties, the first step is to establish a nursery plot for raising seedlings. The optimal time for establishing the nursery is June, and the seedling-raising period is about 3 months. Make raised beds and sow in spots, with a plant-to-row spacing of 16.5 cm x 16.5 cm. For transplanting, medium-sized seedlings with 10-20 roots are most suitable.
II. Land Preparation and Transplanting
Asparagus thrives in moist sandy loam soil. Before transplanting, plow and loosen the soil multiple times and remove impurities from the soil thoroughly. After fully sun-bleaching the soil (for 1-2 months), apply 4,000-5,000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure or 100-150 kg of cake fertilizer per mu, plus 150 kg of superphosphate and 30 kg of potassium chloride. Broadcast the manure and then plow again; for the cake fertilizer, add water and ferment it for 8-10 days, then mix it with superphosphate and potassium chloride, apply it into furrows (30-40 cm deep), cover with soil, and then plant the seedlings.
III. Reasonable Close Planting
The most suitable planting period is autumn planting (August-September). Asparagus is harvested in March-April of the following year after planting, with a short time frame and a high survival rate. The plant-to-row spacing for planting seedlings is 25 cm x 160 cm. When planting, straighten out the roots and divide them into two halves, fix them in the planting furrow holes with the scale buds facing the center line of the bed, then cover with 5-6 cm of soil, firm it down, and water thoroughly to settle the roots.
IV. Strengthening Water and Fertilizer Management
1. Seedling stage: After planting, if furrow irrigation is used, irrigate once every 20-25 days. At the same time, open drainage ditches so that the ground is dry once the rain stops. Apply the first fertilizer 20 days after planting, using 5 kg of compound fertilizer per mu diluted in 1,000 kg of water, applied in holes or in furrows. From 40-60 days after planting, apply fertilizer once every 25-30 days, using 25-50 kg of compound fertilizer per mu or 10-20 kg of urea plus 6-12.5 kg of potassium chloride. From 4 months after planting until before harvest, apply fertilizer once about every 25 days, using 20 kg of urea and 12.5 kg of potassium chloride per mu, applied in furrows. Irrigate after fertilizing.
2. Harvest period: During the harvest period, apply fertilizer once every 15-20 days, each time using 20 kg of urea and 12.5 kg of potassium chloride per mu. At the same time, be sure to open ditches on all four sides and ditches in the field, drain water on rainy days, and irrigate on sunny days.
V. Selecting Mother Stems
About 5-6 months after planting, the young plants send up their last batch of stems. When the stem diameter reaches 0.8-1 cm, mother stems can be selected. Generally, keep 2-3 robust, fully mature mother stems free of pests and diseases per clump, then pull out the excess, thin or overly thick stems. Before selecting mother stems, apply 30 kg of urea and 15 kg of potassium chloride per mu in furrows. After selecting the mother stems, immediately trim
the beds and carry out heavy hilling, forming raised beds 30-40 cm high.
VI. Pest and Disease Control ⟧17⟧ Common asparagus diseases include stem blight and anthracnose. To control stem blight, spray with 70% thiophanate-methyl at 600 times dilution or 40% carbendazim at 500 times dilution. During the seedling and mature seedling stages, spray once every 10-15 days; during the mother stem selection period, spray once every 5-7 days. To control anthracnose, spray with 70% mancozeb at 500 times dilution, or 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 600 times dilution, or 80% anthracnose thiram wettable powder at 800 times dilution, spraying once every 10 days for 2-3 consecutive sprays, but spraying is strictly prohibited 7 days before harvest. Common pests include cutworms and green caterpillars. For green caterpillars at the 1st-2nd instar, spray with 1,000 times dilution of Anlubao to kill them; for older green caterpillar larvae and cutworms, manual capture can be used.
Common asparagus diseases include stem blight and anthracnose. To control stem blight, spray with 70% thiophanate-methyl at 600 times dilution or 40% carbendazim at 500 times dilution; spray once every 10-15 days during the seedling and mature plant stages, and once every 5-7 days during the period when mother stems are selected and retained. To control anthracnose, spray with 70% mancozeb at 500 times dilution, or 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 600 times dilution, or 80% anthracnose thiram wettable powder at 800 times dilution, once every 10 days, for 2-3 consecutive sprays, but spraying is strictly prohibited 7 days before harvesting the spears. Common pests include cutworms and green caterpillars. For green caterpillars at the 1st-2nd instar, spray with Anlubao at 1000 times dilution to kill them; for older green caterpillar larvae and cutworms, manual capture can be used.
VII. Replacing Seedlings
After 3-4 months of harvesting asparagus, the original seedlings begin to age. At this point, all the seedlings should be pulled out, leaving only the root tubers, and then the ridges should be opened and fertilizer applied to promote sprouting from the tubers. Generally, seedlings are replaced twice a year.