EFFECT OF SURFACE DRIP IRRIGATION ON ASPARAGUS CULTIVARS IN CENTRAL POLAND

The effect of surface drip irrigation was studied on the possibilities of cultivation of some European and non European asparagus cultivars for white spear production. The field experiment was carried out in the first three years of cultivation (2003-2005) at Kruszyn Krajenski near Bydgoszcz on a sandy soil (soil type Hapludolls). The water reserve to 1 m soil depth at field capacity was 87 mm and the available water quantity 67 mm. The field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design of a two-factorial "split-plot" system with four replications. The first factor was irrigation used in two variants [O – non-irrigated plots (control), D – drip-irrigated plots]; the second factor was 10 European or 14 non European cultivars. The standard growing technique was applied according to horticultural practise. The following evaluations were made: height, diameter, number of summer stalks and yield of white spears. The drip irrigation system influenced the investigated features of the asparagus cultivars positively. The most significant effects were obtained for German and Dutch cultivars and ‘Purple Passion’. Yields obtained from irrigated plots were higher than those from non-irrigated plots.