Evaluation of Physiological and Quality Parameters of Green Asparagus Spears Subjected to Three Treatments against the Decline Syndrome

Abstract

Green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is a widely grown and consumed crop which provides high-level nutritional interest. In recent years, the decline syndrome in asparagus plantations has been rapidly augmenting. This syndrome causes the early death of whole plants, also negatively affecting the new replanting. Decline causes notable economic losses in the sector. The objective of this work was to verify the effect of different treatments against asparagus decline syndrome on the physiological parameters and nutritional quality of the spears. To meet the objective, four different treatments were applied to asparagus plots strongly affected by decline syndrome: (T1) untreated control soil, (T2) biofumigation with Brassica pellets, (T3) biofumigation with chicken manure pellets, and (T4) disinfestation of the soil with Dazomet. The cumulative yield and physiological and quality parameters of green asparagus spears were studied. Thus, malondialdehyde (MDA), photosynthetic pigments, glutathione (GSH), ascorbate (AsA), total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanin, antioxidant test, mineral nutrients, and the amino acid profile were measured on asparagus spears. The results showed that the Brassica pellets and Dazomet treatments were the most effective against the damage caused by the decline syndrome. However, it would be necessary to monitor the evolution in the following years.

Effect of Organic and Mineral Soil Additives on Asparagus Growth and Productivity in Replant Soils

“…The biofumigation of soil from site B had the most positive effect on asparagus root and shoot growth compared to steam-sterilisation or champost treatment. López-Moreno et al [26] also reported the positive effect of biofumigation with Brassica pellets on the yield of green asparagus in the first year of harvest.…”

“…The isothiocyanates produced during the degradation of the plant parts of the Brassicaceae family (mainly mustard flour) have antimicrobial, fungicidal, and nematocidal properties [25]. Lopez-Moreno et al [26] compared the effect of biofumigation with Brassica pellets, biofumigation with chicken manure pellets, and the disinfestation of the soil using Dazomet and concluded that the Brassica pellets and the chemical, Dazomet, were the most effective against the damage caused by the decline syndrome.…”

Assaying the Use of a Leonardite-Suspension Concentrate-Based Product as a Potential Biostimulant to Enhance Growth, NPK Use Efficiency, and Antioxidant Capacity in Lactuca sativa L.

“…Furthermore, antioxidant capacity of plant tissues can be estimated by different tests, such as FRAP and TEAC. These assays are based on the capacity of different antioxidants to reduce pro-oxidants, using as oxidants some radicals like ABTS or ions such as Fe 2+ [35,65]. The application of HS to lettuce plants enhanced antioxidant capacity by both methods (root and foliar) at all doses (Figure 4A,B).…”

“…Total GSH was assayed according to López-Moreno et al [35]. A total number of 0.1 g of plant material was macerated in 600 µL of 0.2 M HCl and then centrifugated at 16,000× g for 10 min.…”

Applications of Saponin Extract from Asparagus Roots as Functional Ingredient

“…The reasons for the phenomenon known as "asparagus decline" could be found in this practice. This phenomenon involves a decrease in crop yield over time and the inability to replant a particular piece of land for at least 5 years after the initial planting [18]. This limits the commercial lifetime of the plantation and leads to a continuous search for new lands for cultivation.…”