Improvement of biological technologies of growing asparagus by drop irrigation in the Southern of Ukraine

Abstract

Asparagus (Aspáragus officinalis L.) is one of the 20 most common vegetable plants. In order to receive
early ecologically safe vegetable products for consumption and to expand the assortment of vegetables, it is
important to develop the main methods of its growing. The goal of our research is to improve the basic
elements of biologicalization of the technology of growing asparagus under drip irrigation in the conditions
of Southern Ukraine. The methods of our research were as follows: field, laboratory, measurementcalculation,
comparative, mathematical-statistical and system analysis. Morphological differences and
adaptive potential of the studied asparagus hybrids have the greatest influence on the formation of plant
productivity. In the first year of growing, commercial spears were not cut. This is necessary in order to allow
the plants to form a strong root system and vegetative mass to ensure high productivity in the following
years. In the second year of cultivation, the yield of young spears of the Gijnlim hybrid was 0.88 t ha-1,
Baklim – 0.92 t ha-1. In the third year of growing (fourth year of culture), the yield of the Baklim hybrid was
28.7 % higher compared to Gijnlim (1.22 t ha-1). On average, over the years of research, the Baklim hybrid
exceeded the Gijnlim hybrid by 18.1 %. Plant productivity also varied depending on the age of the
plantation. In the third year of growing, the yield of the studied hybrids was 47.8 % higher than in the
previous year. Two-time application of the liquid form of Bioproferm organic fertilizer through the drip
irrigation system increases plant productivity by 15.6 % and improves the quality of marketable asparagus
spears. It was established that the highest amount of dry matter was noted in the spears of the Baklim hybrid,
and the Gijnlim hybrid was the best in terms of total sugar and ascorbic acid content. Application of modern
biofertilizer Bioproferm and covering of plants with black plastic film (mulch) in the spring made it possible
to start harvesting a week earlier, significantly increase the yield and improve marketable spear quality.
Keywords: Asparagus officinalis L., hybrid, biofertilizer, mulching, drip irrigation, productivity, quality of
spears.