Asparagus in tropical Australia — the first fifteen years

Abstract

Location, climate, soil, crop establishment, cultural practice, and harvest information are given from 13 commercial plantings and 11 replicated trials of asparagus grown in tropical Australia since 1985. Both commercial plantings and trials have had a short life and low yields compared with plantings in subtropical and temperate parts of Australia. The unsuccessful outcomes to date are primarily because of the lack of experience in growing a perennial temperate vegetable crop in a tropical climate with high humidity during the wet season. After carefully considering poor results to date (attributed particularly to unsuitable soil type, insufficient disease control in the wet season, and inadequate carbohydrate reserves at harvest time) and reviewing current practices in relevant places elsewhere (especially the use of drought-induced dormancy), the chances of boosting average yields and having a prosperous industry in tropical Australia are considered good.