Asparagus Fertility

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Asparagus - Fertility

Author:	OMAFRA Staff
Creation Date:	01 February 2006
Last Reviewed:	01 February 2006

Excerpt from Publication 363 - Vegetable Production Recommendations
Note: Page references refer to pages in the 2006-2007 version of Publication 363.

Green manure crops planted in the year prior to asparagus establishment require 30-40 kg N/ha (27-36 lb N/ac) prior to or at seeding. Apply P and K based on crop requirements and soil tests.

Nitrogen

See Table 9-1, Asparagus Nitrogen Recommendations.

Table 9-1. Asparagus Nitrogen Recommendations

Method	Actual N kg/ha	Actual N lb/ac
Nursery	75¹	67¹
New plantings	110²	98²
Established plantings: Pre-harvest	55	49
Established plantings: Post-harvest	55	49
Established plantings: Total	110	98

¹ An additional 50 kg nitrogen/ha may be applied as a side-dress application in August or early September if rainfall was excessive in the summer.
² Broadcast all the recommended nitrogen and potash prior to planting.

Phosphorus

Soil tests are required to determine phosphorus requirements. Where the soil test values are 61 mg P per L soil (ppm) or higher, asparagus fields are unlikely to respond to additional phosphate applications. For soils testing less than 61 mg P per L soil (ppm), see Table 1-10, Phosphorus Requirements: Vegetables on Mineral Soils, on page 12. Band the phosphate below the crowns at planting.

Potassium

Soil tests are required to determine potassium requirements. Where the soil test values are 250 mg K per L soil (ppm) or higher, asparagus fields are unlikely to respond to additional potash applications. For soils testing less than 250 mg K per L soil (ppm), see Table 1-12, Potassium Requirements: Vegetables on Mineral Soils, on page 14.

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