Many newer varieties are all-male hybrids, whereas traditional varieties such as Mary Washington are dioecious with 50 percent male and 50 percent female plants. The new male hybrids are higher yielding, more vigorous, and do not produce seeds.

Table 12.1.1 Recommended asparagus varieties

Jersey General (RR,FT)¹	Jersey Giant (RR,FT)
Jersey King (RR, FT)	Jersey Knight (RR,FT)
Jersey Supreme (RR, FT)

1: RR = Rust resistant; FT = Fusarium tolerant

12.2 Planting Methods

Crowns. One-year-old crowns are generally planted. Commercially, crowns are dug in the fall after one season’s growth, stored, and sold in the spring. If a grower establishes his/her own nursery, crowns may be left in the field over the winter, dug in the spring, and replanted immediately. Crowns are placed in the bottoms of furrows six to eight inches deep with buds up and covered with 11/2 inches of soil. Furrows are gradually filled in over the first growing season, by moving soil toward the plants during cultivation until the field is again level.

Transplants. Asparagus fields can be established using ten- to 12-week-old transplants. Transplants are planted in furrows six to eight inches deep. The furrow should be wide and contain a three-inch flattened mound at the bottom in a modified W-shape. Placing the transplant on the mound protects the plant from being washed out or covered by soil during a heavy rain. Furrows are not completely filled in at planting. Instead, the root mass of the transplant is covered, and the soil is gradually moved into the furrows with cultivation over the first growing season.

Direct seed. This method is not recommended in New York State because it is expensive and requires considerable care and expertise.

Table 12.2.1 Recommended spacing.

Row (in feet)	In-row (in inches)
4.5-6¹	10-18²

1: Use spacing that allows room for farm equipment. Mature ferns can become large and difficult to cover with sprays if planted too closely.

2: Early yields from closely spaced plants will be high, but as roots spread, the closely spaced plants become crowded and spear diameter decreases.

12.3 Fertility

Apply adequate lime to bring the pH to between 6.0 and 6.5. If a large amount of lime is needed, apply half before plowing and incorporate the remainder after plowing. Remember, asparagus will be in the field for eight to 12 years, so proper soil preparation prior to planting is essential. See Table 12.3.1 for the recommended rates of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

12.4 Harvesting

Asparagus can be harvested the second year after planting. A traditional harvest sequence calls for cutting two weeks the first year, four weeks the second, and six to eight weeks thereafter. These are general guidelines, and the length of the harvest period should be adjusted according to the spear size. When spears are predominantly small in diameter, harvest should be stopped. Fresh-market asparagus is cut or snapped by hand when the spears are about ten inches tall. In warm weather, fields should be harvested daily. Damaged or thin shoots should be cut and discarded. After harvesting, spears should be washed, cooled, trimmed to a uniform length, and graded by diameter. Spears can be stored for up to three weeks at 36°F and 95 percent relative humidity.

Table 12.3.1 Recommended nutrients based on soil tests.
N pounds/acre	P₂O₅ pounds/acre			K₂O pounds/acre			Comments
	Soil Phosphorus Level			Soil Potassium Level
	low	med.	high	low	med.	high
New plantings
50	*110*	60	30	*150*	*100*	50	*Total recommended*

0	110	60	30	150	100	50	Broadcast and disk-in.
50	0	0	0	0	0	0	Sidedress at first cultivation.
Cutting beds
50	75	50	25	80	60	40	*Total recommended*

50	75	50	25	80	60	40	Apply in the spring before spear emergence. Incorporate lightly

12.5 Disease Management

12.5.1 Fusarium root rot and Fusarium crown rot, Fusarium spp

Time for concern: Planting through life of bed

Key characteristics: Fusarium causes weak, spindly spear production. Feeder roots become rotted and discolored. Affected crowns show reddish brown discoloration when cut. See Reference 1.

*Management Option*			*Recommendation*
Scouting/thresholds			No thresholds are available.
Resistant varieties			No varieties are resistant but Section 12.1 Recommended Varieties are more tolerant than older standards. Vigorous plants are less likely to be affected.
Site selection			Grow asparagus in fields that have never grown the crop before.
Crown selection/treatment			When starting asparagus from crowns, wash dirty crowns before dipping them into a fungicide suspension for five minutes with continuous agitation. Replace suspension in the clean tank when it's discolored by soil. Drain crowns, and plant ASAP.
Postharvest and Sanitation			These are not currently viable management options.
Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A		PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product		(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
manozeb
	Manzate 75 DF or OLF	1lb/100 gal		—	24	11	For use on planting stock

12.5.2 Phytophthora spear rot, Phytophthora spp

Time for concern: This disease is currently not a problem in New York State, but its potential for occurring on Long Island is high.

Key characteristics: Infected spears show gray-beige to brown lesions slightly above or just below the soil line. The decay is odorless unless invaded by saprophytic bacteria.

*Management Option*			*Recommendation*
Scouting/thresholds			Record the occurrence and severity of Phytophthora spear rot. No thresholds have been established.
Resistant varieties			No resistant varieties are available.
Site selection			This is a problem in low or poorly drained areas.
Postharvest and Sanitation			These are not currently viable management options.
Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A		PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product		(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
mefenoxam
	Ridomil Gold EC or OLF	1 pt		1	48	14	Broadcast in a minimum of 10 gals of water.

12.5.3 Rust, Puccinia asparagi

Time for concern: Late spring through end of season

Key characteristics: Red or brown elongated spots appear on spears or ferns. Ferns may prematurely yellow and brown. See Reference 1.

*Management Option*			*Recommendation*
Scouting/thresholds			Record the occurrence and severity of rust. No thresholds are available.
Resistant varieties			Plant resistant varieties whenever possible. See Section 12.1 Recommended Varieties.
Site selection			Plant in areas of good air circulation as heavy dew favors disease development.
Postharvest			Apply chemicals as a postharvest spray in mid-August or as disease appears. Control is important to reduce stress, which increases the incidence of Fusarium root rot.
Sanitation			In late winter, mow and disk brush. If permitted, burn brush to control rust fungi.
Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A		PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product		(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
chlorothalonil
	Bravo Weather Stik or OLF	2-4 pt		190	12	43-87	Apply only on asparagus ferns after spears have been harvested.
mancozeb
	Dithane 75DF or OLF	2 lb		180	24	22
myclobutanil
	Nova 40W	5 oz		180	24	4

12.6 Insect Management

12.6.1 Asparagus beetle, Crioceris asparagi and Spotted asparagus beetle, C. duodecimpunctata

Time for concern: Spring through summer

Key characteristics: Common asparagus beetles are 5/16 inch long and black with a blue head, four large yellow spots, and a reddish margin on their abdomen. Spotted asparagus beetles are the same size, but are bright orange with black spots. Adults of both species chew on the spears. Larvae are cream-colored with dark heads and feed for 10 to 14 days. Common asparagus beetles feed on the ferns, whereas spotted asparagus beetles only feed on the fruit on the ferns. See www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/factsheets/.

*Management Option*	*Recommendation*
Scouting/thresholds	Record the occurrence and severity of an asparagus beetle infestation. No thresholds have been established.
Natural enemies	Natural enemies help to control asparagus beetle populations such as the parasitic wasp, Tetrastichus asparagi. They can be preserved by using pesticides that are less harmful to them. Use Reference 2 or see www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/ for identification of natural enemies.
Resistant varieties	No resistant varieties are available.
Site selection, Post-harvest, and Sanitation	These are not currently viable management options.

Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A	PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product	(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
carbaryl
	Sevin XLR Plus 4 lb/gal	1 qt	1	12	18	Do not use more than once every three days.
permethrin
	*Ambush 2 lb/gal	3.2-6.4 fl oz	1	12	4-7
	*Pounce 3.2 EC 3.2 lb/gal	2-4 fl oz	1	12	4-9
spinosad
	SpinTor 2SC 2lbs/gal	4-6 fl oz	60	4	1-2	Do not use on spears; Use to protect ferns only.
	Entrust 0.8 lb/lb	1.25-2 oz	60	4	1-2	Do not use on spears; Use to protect ferns only.
*Restricted use only.

12.7 Weed Management

Key characteristics: Weed fact sheets provide a good color reference for common weed identification. See Reference 3. See Chapter 4 for information on scouting/thresholds, site selection, cultivation, and banding of herbicides.

Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A	PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product	(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
pre-spear emergence
paraquat
	*Gramoxone Max 3.0 lb/gal	1.7-2.7pt		12	16-25	Allow maximum weed emergence before treating. Add an adjuvant like X-77 or Charger E. Do not make more than 2 applications per season.
	*Gramoxone Inteon 2.0 lb/gal	2-4 pt		12	19-37
s-metolachlor (annual grasses, yellow nutsedge, hairy galinsoga, suppression of other broadleaf weeds)
	*†Dual Magnum 7.62EC 7.62lb/gal	1.33-2 pts	16	24	25-37	Not for use in Nassau/Suffolk Counties. A single application may be made to dormant, established beds in the spring prior to crop emergence. Choose rates based upon soil type.
Syngenta has created a new means of acquiring the indemnification required when using Dual Magnum on the vegetable crops registered on New York State’s multi-crop 24(c) Special Local Need (SLN) supplemental label. The required product label and indemnification can only be obtained through the “special labels” link found at www.farmassist.com and must be obtained by the ‘end-user’. If difficulties are encountered in using the website call the Syngenta Customer Resource Center at 866-796-4368.

Compound(s)
Common name		Rate/A	PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product	(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
pre- or post-spear emergence
dicamba (sowthistle, mustard spp., redroot pigweed, Russian thistle, common chickweed, field bindweed)
	Clarity 2.5 EC 4 lb/gal	8-16 oz	1	24	8-16	Apply Clarity to emerged and actively growing weeds immediately after cutting the field but 24 hr before the next cutting. Multiple applications may be made per season but may not exceed a maximum of 16 fl oz per acre per year. If spray contacts emerged
halosulfuron (Preemergence applications: galinsoga, lambsquarters, mustard/radish species, redroot pigweed, ragweed, velvetleaf. Yellow nutsedge is suppressed but not controlled. Postemergence applications: yellow nutsedge, galinsoga, redroot pigweed,
	Sandea	0.5-1 oz	1	12	<1	Apply postemergence to established beds. May be applied during harvest season May be applied post-harvest. Do not exceed 2 oz /A/season.
fluazifop-p-butyl (most annual and some perennial grasses)
	Fusilade DX	Perennial Grasses: 0.75 qt Annual Grasses: 6 – 12 oz	1	12	16 8	For use on established beds. Apply when grasses are actively growing and not stressed. Add 0.5-1% v/v crop oil concentrate.
napropamide (annual grasses and broadleaves)
	Devrinol 50-DF 0.5 lb/lb	8 lb		12	50	For use on established beds. This herbicide is long-lasting. Incorporation is not necessary if the soil surface is moist or if rain occurs soon after application.
pre- or postharvest, incorporated
trifluralin
	Treflan HFP 4 lb/gal	1-2 pt		12	13-27	For use on established beds. Apply with shallow incorporation. Adjust the rate according to label recommendations for soil type. Split applications can be made with half preemergence followed by half postemerg-ence after last harvest. May aid in prevention
post-spear emergence
sethoxydim (annual grasses)
	Poast 1.5 lb/gal	0.5-1.5 pt	1	12	3-7	For use on established beds. Apply when grasses are actively growing and not under stress. Apply with 2 pt oil concentrate per acre.
pre-spear emergence or postharvest
diuron (annual broadleaves and grasses)
	Karmex DF 0.8 lb/lb	2 lb		12	33	For use on established beds. Apply early spring before spear emergence. Repeat after harvest if annual weeds persist. Since Karmex is not active on emerged weeds, they must be killed by tillage before or after application. Do not exceed 3 lb per season.
metribuzin (low rate controls broadleaves; high rate controls grasses)
	Sencor DF 0.75 lb/lb	1.3-2.6 lb	14	12	28-55	For use on established beds. Apply early spring before spears emerge. May be repeated after the cutting season. Do not exceed 2 lb AI/A/season. There is considerable postemergence activity on small weeds with only minimal injury to ferns and spears.
	Sencor 4F 4 lb/gal	1-2 qt	14	12	23-47

Common name		Rate/A	PHI	REI	Field
	Trade name	Product	(days)	(hours)	Use EIQ	Comments
pre-spear emergence or postharvest (continued)
2,4-D (perennial broadleaves)
	Formula 40 3.67 lb/gal	1.5-2 qt		48	96-128	For use on established beds. Apply before or after harvest. Avoid spraying spears or ferns. Postharvest sprays usually require a boom with drop pipes to prevent wetting the fern. This application will also control unwanted seedling asparagus.
glyphosphate (quackgrass and perennial broadleaves)
	Roundup Weather Max or OLF 5.5 lb/gal	1-1.4 pt weeds < 6" 1.4-2 pt weeds > 6"	5	4	8-11 11-15	For use on established beds. For quackgrass control, apply well ahead of spear emergence in the spring. For broadleaf perennials, apply after the cutting season, but first remove all growing spears or ferns which are easily damaged. For later applications
post, hooded, row middles only
carfentrazone (selected broadleaves)
	Aim 1.9 EW 1.9 lb/gal	0.5-1.6 fl. oz	0	12	<1	May be used only as a hooded, row middle application. Sprayers must be designed to prevent ANY contact with the crop and may not be operated at more than 5 MPH. Special care must be taken when operating on uneven ground. See product label for additional precautions.
*Restricted use only.		(†) Not for use in Nassau/Suffolk Counties

12.8 References

1 Sandsted, R. F., D. A. Wilcox, T. A. Zitter, and A. A. Muka. 1985. Asparagus. Cornell Cooperative Extension Information Bulletin 202.

2 Hoffmann, M. P., and A. C. Frodsham. 1993. Natural Enemies of Vegetable Insect Pests. Cornell Cooperative Extension. 64 pp.

3 Pennsylvania State University. 1987. Weed identification, pp. 1-32. Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension, University Park.

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