Asparagus Cultivar Trial (2016) - 3 pages

In 2016 the Vegetable Research Program at the University of Saskatchewan initiated a cultivar testing program for asparagus. The trial was planted at the Horticulture Field Research Facility in Saskatoon, SK. The site features a Sutherland Series clay soil (pH 7.9, E.C. <1 dS/m). Clay soils are not generally recommended for asparagus production as they can distort spear growth and promote root disease but if well-managed clay soils have the potential to produce excellent yields.

The seed of the asparagus lines to be tested was obtained from various sources across N. America. Established varieties, as well as un-named new lines, were included in the trial. Twelve-week old greenhouse-grown seedlings were transplanted into the field in mid-June.