Growth of the asparagus [Asparagus officinalis] plants cultured on rockwool.
1991
Matsubara S. | Okamura M.
Growth of asparagus plants (Asparagus officinalis L.) cultured on rockwool was compared with that on soil. Seeds of 'Mary Washington 500W', Pole Tom' and 'Welcome' were sown on vermiculite at the end of January, 1990, and each seedling was transferred to 10 cm rockwool cube. Cubes were placed in greenhouse conditioned at higher than 12 degree Centigrade and watered once every two three weeks. Plantlets were supplied with Otsuka nutrient solution at a half strength once in 2 or 3 days after secondary shoots generated. Plants on rockwool cubes were transferred to 10 * 30 * 90 cm rectangular rockwool at intervals of 30 cm at April 5, 1990, and nutrient solution was supplied for 15 minutes at every 4h intervals. Other plantlets on rockwool were planted on soil. Growth of plant cultured on rockwool was better than that cultured on soil after 7.5 to 10 months. Mean shoot length and numbers of total shoots and spears after 7.5 months, and mean stem diameter and top fresh weight after 10 months were better in cases of 'Mary Washington 500W' and 'Welcome'. On the other hand, in case of 'Pole Tom' significant difference between plants cultured on rockwool and soil was not observed, except a number of total shoots and crowns. Production of shoots during the period from November 26, 1990 to May 23, 1991, varied depending on cultivars. Total number of shoots did not differ significantly in every cultivars. Stem diameter and shoot length, however, were smaller in plants grown on rockwool than those on soil in 'Pole Tom' and 'Welcome' at earlier period. Ratio of flowering shoots in plants on rockwool was lower than those on soil at March 13, but higher at April 23. Plants on soil did not flower during the period from April 23 to May 23.
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