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

Abstract

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