Asparagus cultivar trials in bio bio (VIII) region of Chile

Two trials were conducted in a volcanic soil in the subhumid Mediterranean climatic zone. In the experiment I six German cultivars and four Californian cultivars were compared during 1995-1998, using an expanded design. In the experiment II nine Jersey cultivars and two Californian cultivars were compared during three years (1997-1999), using a randomized complete block design. Plots of both experiments were harvested daily, and number, weight and diameter of spears were determined after trimming to 18 cm. Marketable yield was determined as the total yield minus culls, and exportable yield as the marketable minus those for internal market, conformed by spears initiating branching and bend up to 45. In experiment I the cumulative marketable yield was higher in the Californian cultivars compared to the German cultivars, except cv. Vulkan. Among the Californian cultivars Atlas had the highest number of spears per plant and marketable yield, but a low proportion of thin exportable spears (7-17 mm), together with cvs. Apollo and Grande. German cultivars produced a high proportion of exportable spears 7-17 mm, but its exportable yield was low. In experiment II the highest cumulative marketable yield was obtained in cultivars Jersey Knight, Jersey Supreme and UC-157, however cvs. Jersey Knight and J. Supreme yielded a low percentage of spears 7-17 mm. The marketable yield of UC-157 was higher than UC-157 F2. Among the others Jersey cultivars, J. Jewel had an outstanding percentage of spears 7-17 mm (near 90%), but unfortunately its marketable yield was below average.