Aspirenz: A Decision Support System for Managing Root Carbohydrate in Asparagus

Wilson, D.R.; Cloughley, C.G.; Sinton, S.M.

doi:10.17660/actahortic.2002.589.5

Cited by 19 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Within each soil, root growth was assessed near the beginning (4-5 October) and end of harvest (15-16 December), after fern establishment (15-16 January), during mid (3-4 March) and late fern growth (13-14 April), and during early winter (1-2 June). These periods represent critical times during the growth cycle of the plant (Wilson et al 2002). Soil cores, 0.20 m long and 55 mm in diameter, taken with a hand auger were collected at 0.15,0.3, and 0.6 m from the centre of the row to a depth of 1.0 m in 0.2 m intervals.…”

Section: Root Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring root length density and root biomass in asparagus(Asparagus officinalis)with soil cores

Drost¹,

Wilson²

2003

New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science

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Sampling date, soil depth, and sample location all significantly influenced asparagus fleshy and fibrous root biomass. Soil cores accurately estimated both total fleshy root length density and dry matter content when compared to the more time-consuming complete root excavation. Results can be used to improve crop management practices, predict root biomass, and increase our understanding of the dynamics of root development in asparagus.Keywords Asparagus officinalis; root distribution; root sampling; root dynamics Abstract Soil type, crop management practices, annual plant growth patterns, and seasonal changes in the soil environment all influence asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) roots. This study describes the dynamic changes in root growth that occur during the annual growth cycle of asparagus grown in two contrasting soil types and crop management systems. Root length density and biomass were estimated from soil cores (55 mm diam. × 0.2 m long) collected to 1 m in three locations adjacent to the row (0.15, 0.3, and 0.6 m from row centre). Samples were collected on six dates (early, or postharvest at early, mid, or late fern growth, and dormant period) between October 1999 and June 2000. Test sites varied with soil type (sandy loam or silt loam) and crop management system (normal 12-week harvest or extended 15-week harvest). Fleshy and fibrous roots were collected, root length density determined, and dry weights measured. Fleshy asparagus roots grew deeper in a sandy soil than in a silt soil, had higher dry matter content in silt than in sandy soil, and greater root length in a silt compared to a sandy soil. Fibrous root length density was greater during fern growth than during harvest, in a sandy versus a silt soil and at shallow versus deep sampling depths.

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Section: Root Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring root length density and root biomass in asparagus(Asparagus officinalis)with soil cores

Drost¹,

Wilson²

2003

New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science

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“…To optimize asparagus production, timing of the final harvest of the season is critical for future productivity (Wilson et al, 2002a). This decision is influenced by many factors such as quality of asparagus spears harvested, air temperature, and farm gate prices.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Root CHO content has been proposed as a parameter for determining when to stop harvesting asparagus spears (Wilson et al, 2002a). In Washington, the recommended root CHO content during a full production year ranges between 450 and 200 mg·g Ϫ1 of root dry weight.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At its full capacity in November, CHO again reaches the level of 450 mg·g Ϫ1 of root dry weight. If the harvest is prolonged beyond the 30 JOURNAL OF VEGETABLE SCIENCE minimum recommended level of CHO, negative effects on production in the following year might occur because of the shorter period for the CHO accumulation phase (Wilson et al, 2002a). Growers can make better cropping decisions if they rely on CHO content of roots as a method to determine condition of plants to make appropriate decisions for multiple production cycles of the asparagus plants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wilson et al (2002a) described a decision support system (AspireNZ) for managing asparagus root CHO in New Zealand to provide information to farmers on when to terminate the harvest. The idea behind this decision support system is to periodically sample the status of CHO content in roots.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Economic Analysis of the Inter-Year Effect of Alternative Harvesting Strategies for Asparagus

Cembali

Folwell

McCluskey

et al. 2006

Journal of Vegetable Science

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The timing of the last asparagus harvest in spring is very critical for future re-growth of asparagus spears. A prolonged harvest season may lead to low production in the following year if weather conditions after termination of harvest are not favorable for root carbohydrate (CHO) accumulation. In this study, measurement of root CHO content was used as a basis to decide when to stop harvesting asparagus spears. A bioeconomic simulation model using deterministic equations was used to assess the impact of different root CHO reserve levels on various harvesting strategies. Monte Carlo simulations were used in a series of eight-year production periods to determine impact of different root CHO levels at harvest. The model predicted that a root CHO level of Tiziano Cembali

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