Evaluacion de siete genotipos de esparrago (Asparagus officinalis L.) en su tercer ano de cosecha.

In order to evaluate 7 asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) genotypes during their third harvesting year, a random complete block design, with three replications, was used. The following parameters were analyzed: spear yield (kg/ha), number and weight of spear per caliber, plant height, number and diameter of stalks, number and weight of fruits per plant, number and weight of seeds per plant, number of seeds per fruit, seed yield (kg/ha) and finally, seed calibration in 4, 3 and 2 mm seeds. The results were evaluated by means of Fisher's analysis of variance and by Duncan's multiple comparison test; in addition, single correlations between the different parameters were determined. No statistical significant differences were found for parameters such as number of stalks/plant, number of fruits/plant, weight of fruits/plant, number and weight of seeds/plant, number of seeds/fruit and seed yield (kg/ha). Cito showed a clear difference in yield with genotypes UC-72 and Brock's Imperial, presenting no significant difference with genotypes UC-157, Aneto, Junon and Larac. Number of spears per caliber presented differences for caliber Extra, 2 cm and 4 cm. In caliber extra Junon was superior to Larac, Cito and Aneto, but had no significant differences with UC-72, Brock's Imperial and UC-157. In respect to weight of spear per caliber, Extra and 4 cm presented differences; for caliber Extra Junon presented a higher percentage than Cito y Larac. For caliber 4 cm, UC-72 presented significative differences with UC-157, but not with the rest of the genotypes. The hybrid UC-157 presented no significant differences with the rest of the genotypes for plant height, except for the French hybrid Aneto which in turn presented differences with Brock's Imperial, Cito and Larac. In respect to stalk diameter, the genotype UC-72 presented higher diameters than French hybrids Aneto and Cito, although these last two presented no differences with the rest of the genotypes. Hybrid UC-72 presented the highest seed/plant weight for caliber 4 mm, while in caliber 3 mm UC-72 was only superior to Cito and Aneto, having no differences with the rest of genotypes. For caliber 2 mm Brock's Imperial presented differences with Cito and Larac, the last two being superior. Plant height and stalk diameter presented positive associations. Also, a positive significant correlation was observed among weight and number of fruits/plant, weight and number of seed/plant and seed yield.