Cost-effectiveness of postharvest drip irrigation of chosen North-American cultivars of asparagus grown for green spears in open field technology in the Central Poland

Abstract

The aim of the present study was an attempt to calculate the cost-effectiveness of asparagus postharvest drip irrigation in the Central Poland. The results of field experiments on drip irrigation of 13 North-American asparagus cultivars, carried out at Kruszyn Krajenski in the vicinity of Bydgoszcz were investigated in the zone of the largest precipitation deficiency in Poland. The drip irrigation system's economic calculation was conducted following the methodology suggested by Grabarczyk (1987). The effectiveness of drip irrigation (ranging from 0 to 157 %) was the highest for cultivars Jersey Deluxe (157 %) and Jersey Giant (142 %). Lack of significant response to drip irrigation was found in case of cultivars Purple Passion, Jersey King and Atlas. Other cultivars (Jersey Supreme, Jersey Knight, Grande, Apollo, UC 157, NJ 953, UC 115, JWC 1) gave an increase in marketable yield of 35-79 % due to drip irrigation. Economic results of drip irrigation, depending on the increase in produce value and assumed drip irrigation costs were positive in case of 10 cultivars. The drip irrigation of Jersey Deluxe and Jersey Giant turned out most cost-effective. Irrigation was also very costeffective in the case of cultivars UC115, NJ953, Jersey Knight, Jersey Supreme, UC157, Grande, Apollo and JWC 1. Drip irrigation was unprofitable in case of the following cultivars: Purple Passion, Jersey King and Atlas.