Hybrid asparagus cultivars: Regional suitability and productivity for processing and fresh export in Waikato, New Zealand

Abstract

Abstract The green spear production characteristics of 26 European and United States asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) hybrids were compared with those of the open‐pollinated cultivar ‘Mary Washington 500W’. The higher numbers, weights, and proportions of marketable grade spears produced by the United States hybrids ‘Jersey Giant’, ‘Jersey King’, and ‘UC157’ and by the Dutch hybrids ‘Limbras 10’ and ‘Limbras 26’, increased processing and fresh export yields by 50–150% and 160–450% respectively. ‘Jersey Giant’, with earlier production and higher Stemphylium disease resistance, was the most productive. ‘Limbras 10’ and ‘Jersey King’ yielded 22% less processing and 30% less export product than ‘Jersey Giant.’ For export, ‘UC157’ produced an equal yield of earlier, higher quality, less purple spears than ‘Limbras 10’ or ‘Jersey King’. Country of origin rather than type provided the best indication of the ability of the hybrids to increase marketable yields. European and United States double and single‐cros...