Production and postharvest evaluations of ornamental Asparagus spp.

The aim of this work was to investigate the yield and postharvest behaviour of Asparagus plumosus Baker and Asparagus densiflorus Jessop cv. Myriocladus grown in a soilless growing system. Both species were transplanted with two different planting densities, six and 12 plants per m2. The results obtained showed that the higher planting density increases the number of stems and total fresh weight in both species. Postharvest behaviour was evaluated in a vase life room characterised by a temperature of 20°C ± 2, RH 60% ± 5, 12 hr of photoperiod and light intensity of 10 μmol m-2 s-1 PAR. Planting densities did not affect the longevity of cut foliage in either species. Water uptake and weight variations were higher in cut foliage harvested from cultivation with higher planting density. Cut foliage harvested from cv. Myriocladus plants grown at 12 plants per m2 had higher chlorophyll content. During vase life, the chlorophyll degradation rate was not different in cut foliage harvested from either planting density. Ethylene production was similar in both species and increased at the end of their vase life.