Annals of Plant and Soil Research 23 (4):419-423 (2021)

https://doi.org/10.47815/apsr.2021.10095
Effect of media and nutrition on growth, yield and quality of Asparagus densiflorus
‘sprengeri’ L.

P. SOWMIYA AND P. KARUPPAIAH

Department of Horticulture (Floriculture and Landscape Architecture), Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai
University, Tamil Nadu, India

Received: July, 2021; Revised accepted: August, 2021

ABSTRACT
A study was conducted during the year 20019-2020 at Annamalai University, Annamalainagar to find
out a suitable media and appropriate nutritionto increase the growth, yield and quality of
Asparagusdensiflorus‘sprengeri’ L. as cut foliage. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with
8 treatments and 3 replications.Among the different treatments, the treatment T9 (2 parts of garden soil + 1 part
of farmyard manure, decomposed coirpith and pressmud + 19:19:19 NPK complex fertilizer @ 1.5 % spray)
was found to be the best in respect of all growth, yield and quality attributes such as foliage stalk length
(58.6cm), primary branches per foliage stalk (48.8), length of primary branches in foliage stalk (11.2cm
2
cladophylls per foliage stalk (1212.2), plant spread – East -West (79.4cm ), plant spread – North - South
2 -1
(58.4cm ),chlorophyll content (0.326 mg g ),freshweight of foliage stalk per plant (159.3g), dry weight of foliage
stalk per plant (20.0g),fresh weight of roots and tubers per plant(278.6g), dry weight of roots and tubers per
plant (57.3g), dry matter production (109.5g), tubers per plant (68.0), foliage stalks per plant (36.5),visual
scoring (9.3), vase life of foliage stalk without pulsing (9.0 days) and with pulsing (13.2 days),followed by T7 (2
parts of garden soil + 1 part of farmyard manure and pressmud+ 19:19:19 NPK complex fertilizer @ 1.5 %
spray). Control recorded the minimumgrowth, yield and quality attributes of asparagus.

Key words: Asparagus, cut foliage,media, nutrition.

INTRODUCTION crop growth and maintenance of soil health. The

FYM seems to act directly by increasing crop
Cut foliage is the vegetation used in large growth and yield either by acceleration of
quantities as a source of decoration on its own respiratory process or by cell permeability or by
or on association with flowers in bouquets. This hormonal growth action. Decomposed coirpith
trend is set to increase further because of the and pressmud are rich in all essential plant
green healthy image presented by such products nutrients. They improve media structure, texture,
and predicted increase in consumption of floral aeration, and water holding capacity and are rich
products. Cut foliage is used as a filler, lining in beneficial micro flora such as nutrients fixers,
and background material in various flower P- solubilizers, cellulose decomposing micro-
arrangements. They are also used for bringing flora etc, in addition to improve soil environment.
life to the bouquets, wreaths and garlands, which They prevent nutrient losses and increase the
would otherwise look dull. In recent decades, use efficiency of chemical fertilizers. (Ahmad et
there has been increasing interest in floriculture al., 2020).NPK fertilizers are water soluble, taken
and its products with great potential in the up by the plant almost immediately and provide
domestic as well as in export market. The major the nutrients to plant needs for healthy growth.
problems of production in tropics are the poor Foliar application seems to be promising for
quality of the Asparagus compound to that ensuring use efficiency of applied nutrients.
grown in temperate climate. There is a very little Foliar spray enables plants to absorb the applied
reliable information available on how best to nutrients from the solution through their leaf
grow Asparagus in the tropics. In recent years, it surface and thus, may result in the economic
has been realized that higher yield and quality of use of fertilizer.Nutrition of the growing media
crop plants can be obtained by application of influences the growth and nutrient uptake by
inorganic nutrients through foliar spray combined plants. Ideal growing media and appropriate
with the application of organics like FYM, nutrition have proven their ability on production
decomposed coirpith(DCC), and pressmud (PM) of good quality floriculture produces especially
as soil amendment.FYM plays a vital role in any cut flowers and foliage.With this in view, the
Corresponding author Email:[email protected]
 P. SOWMIYA AND P. KARUPPAIAH 420

present study was concluded to study theeffect fresh weight of roots and tubers per plant, dry
of media and nutritionon growth, yield and weight of roots and tubers per plant, dry matter
quality of Asparagus densiflorus„sprengeri‟ L. production per plant, number of tubers per plant,
yield andquality parameters such as number of
MATERIALS AND METHODS foliage stalks per plant,visual scoring and vase
life of foliage stalks with and without pulsing
The study was carried out at Annamalai were observed at 270 days after planting.The
University, Annamalai Nagar; Tamilnadu during visual scoringof the cut foliage was recorded as
2019-2020.The experiment was laid out in per the Hedonic sensory evaluation method.
randomized block design with 8 treatments and Vase life without pulsing (days) and vase life
3 replications. The treatments were: T1 (3 Parts with pulsing (days) of the cut foliage in each
of garden soil + water spray) as control, T2 (3 treatment replications were noted under room
Parts of garden soil + 19:19:19 NPK complex temperature. Thirdfoliage stalk from the top was
fertilizer @ 1.5% spray), T3 (2 Parts of garden used to measure the biometric observations.The
soil + 1 part of FYM + 19:19:19 NPK complex data on various parameters were analysed
fertilizer @ 1.5%spray), T4 (2 Parts of garden soil statistically as per the procedure suggested by
+ 1 part of pressmud + 19:19:19 NPK complex Panse and Sukhatme (1997).
fertilizer @ 1.5% spray), T5 (2 Parts of garden
soil + 1 Part of decomposed coirpith + 19:19:19 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
NPK complex fertilizer @ 1.5% spray), T6(2
Parts of garden soil + 1 Part of FYM and Growth and physiological parameters
decomposed coirpith + 19:19:19 NPK complex
fertilizer @ 1.5% spray), T7 (2 Parts of garden The data indicated that there was a
soil + 1 Part of FYM and pressmud + 19:19:19 significant difference on growth of asparagus
NPK complex fertilizer @ 1.5% spray), T8 (2 due to different treatments (Table 1). Among the
Parts of garden soil + 1 Part of decomposed growth attributes, foliage stalk length, number of
coirpith and pressmud + 19:19:19 NPK complex primary branches per foliage stalk, length of
fertilizer @ 1.5% spray) and T9 (2 Parts of primary branches in foliage stalk and number of
garden soil + 1 Part of FYM, decomposed cladophylls per foliage stalk were observed to be
coirpith andpressmud + 19:19:19 NPK complex the maximum in T9 (2 Parts of garden soil + 1
fertilizer @ 1.5% spray). The raised beds were Part of FYM, decomposed coirpithandpressmud
formed in uniform size (500cm x 90 cm x 45 cm) + 19:19:19 NPK complex fertilizer @ 1.5%
by the mixture of garden soil, FYM, pressmud spray) with the values of 58.6 cm, 48.8, 11.2 cm
and decomposed coirpith on volume basis as and 1212.2 respectively,followed by T7 (2 Parts
per the treatment schedule.Water soluble of garden soil + 1 Part of FYM andpressmud +
fertilizer mixture of 19:19:19 NPK was sprayed at 19:19:19 NPK complex fertilizer @ 1.5% spray
a concentration of 15 g l-1 (1.5% spray solution) )with the values of 56.8 cm, 47.4, 10.7 cm and
at an interval of once in a fortnight. The spacing 1175.1 respectively. The minimum values on
between two plants was 45cm x 45cm. A foliage stalk length (33.4 cm), number of primary
spacing of 30 cm was maintained between beds. branches per foliage stalk (29.1), length of
The planting pattern was triangular. The well primary branches in foliage stalk (4.6 cm) and
maintained, uniform size seedlings having 3 – 4 number of cladophylls per foliage stalk
foliage stalk per plant were transplanted. Life (662.3)were recorded in control.The increase in
irrigation was given immediately and two growth attributes over the control might be due
subsequent irrigations were given at two days to the combined application of
interval through rose can. Subsequent irrigations FYM,decomposed coirpith and pressmudwhich
were done as per the requirements. Uniform facilitated good aeration, adequate drainage
culture practices were maintained for all the and make a favourable soil environment for deep
treatments. The biometric observations on penetration of roots and higher nutrient
growth and physiological parameters like foliage extraction from the rhizosphere. Concomitant
stalk length, primary branches per foliage stalk, observations were made by Swetha et al. (2014)
length of primary branches in foliage stalk, in aglaonema, Kavana et al. (2019) in
cladophylls per foliage stalk, plant spread, Nephrolepisfern and Kumar et al. (2019) in
chlorophyll content, fresh weight of foliage stalks anthurium.
per plant, dry weight of foliage stalks per plant,
421 Effect of media and nutrition on Asparagus densiflorus

Table 1: Effect of growing media and nutrition on growth parameters in Asparagus

densiflorus„sprengeri‟ L at 270 days after planting

Primary Length of Plant spread Plant spread

Foliage stalk Cladophlls/foli
Treatments branches/ primary (East-West) (North–
length (cm) age stalk 2 2
foliage stalk branches (cm) (cm ) South) (cm )
T1 33.4 29.1 4.6 662.3 41.8 41.1
T2 47.9 40.6 8.4 966.1 63.3 48.1
T3 54.1 45.4 10.0 1118.2 72.7 51.1
T4 49.7 41.9 8.8 1004.0 66.0 48.9
T5 51.5 42.3 9.3 1042.1 68.7 49.6
T6 55.9 46.8 10.5 1156.1 75.4 51.9
T7 56.8 47.4 10.7 1175.1 76.8 52.6
T8 53.3 44.7 9.8 1080.1 71.3 53.4
T9 58.6 48.8 11.2 1212.2 79.4 58.4
S.Ed 0.91 0.74 0.24 19.06 1.36 0.57
CD (P=0.05) 1.83 1.49 0.49 38.12 2.73 1.15

The plants irrespective of their treatments of fresh and dry weight of foliage stalks per plant
had more spread on East-West direction than (159.3 g and 20.0 g), fresh and dry weight of
the North-South direction which may be due to roots and tubers per plant (278.6 g and 57.3 g)
sunlight availability and solar movement in the and dry matter production of Asparagus (109.5
tropics especially in the coastal ecosystem. g), followed by T7 (2 Parts of garden soil + 1
Among the treatments, T9(2 Parts of garden soil Part of FYM andpressmud + 19:19:19 NPK
+ 1 Part of FYM, decomposed coirpith and complex fertilizer @ 1.5% spray). The minimum
pressmud + 19:19:19 NPK complex fertilizer @ values of these attributes were recorded in
1.5% spray) recorded the maximum plant spread control (95.5 g and 10.8 g, 126.9 g and 24.7 g
on both the direction with the values of 79.4 cm2 and 63.5 g respectively). This can be attributed
(East-West) and 58.4 cm2 (North-South) than the to the fact that the right combination of
other treatments. The minimum values of plant FYM,decomposed coirpith and pressmud
spread were 41.8 cm2 (East-West) and 41.1 cm2 improved the physico-chemical and biological
(North-South) (Table.1).The chlorophyll content properties, porosity, water holding capacity,
of Asparagus had a significant variation with permeability and nutrient status which are
grow the media and nutrition. The maximum collectively facilitated the plants to grow well
content of chlorophyll (0.32 mg g-1) was both in the soil and inturn lead to the higher
registered in the treatment with2 Parts of garden biomass production of Asparagus. Thi s was
soil + 1 Part of FYM, decomposed coirpith also noticed by Sankari et al. (2019) in
andpressmud + 19:19:19 NPK complex fertilizer asparagus. As roots and tubers are in direct
@ 1.5% spray (T9), followed by 2 Parts of garden contact with growth media and any changes in
soil + 1 Part of FYM and pressmud + 19:19:19 their surrounding environment can possibly
NPK complex fertilizer @ 1.5% spray (T7) with affect its growth. The grow ing media with FYM,
the value of 0.31 mg g-1. The minimum decomposed coirpith and pressmudprovides
chlorophyll content (0.24 mg g-1) was recorded in better soil texture, structure, aeration, moisture,
control. It may be due to the fact that easy provision of nutrients and balance between solid
availability of macro and micro nutrients from the particles and pore spaces. These leads to the
grow the media and the maximum uptake of healthy growth of shoots, roots, storage of foods
nutrients through plant root system andfoliar in the tubers that ultimately resulted in maximum
spray. These results are in conformity with the fresh and dry weight of foliage stalks per plant
findings of Karuppaiah et al. (2006) in French and alsofresh and dry weight of roots and tubers
marigold and Kumar et al. (2019) in anthurium. per plant. These results are in line with the
The treatment T9 (2 Parts of garden soil + findings of Hussain et al. (2017) in caladium. The
1 Part of FYM, decomposed coirpith and treatmentT9 (2 Parts of garden soil + 1 Part of
pressmud + 19:19:19 NPK complex fertilizer @ FYM, decomposed coirpith and pressmud +
1.5% spray) was found to be the best in respect 19:19:19 NPK complex fertilizer @ 1.5% spray)
 P. SOWMIYA and P. KARUPPAIAH 422

gave the maximum number of tubers per plant development of plant and it helps in translocation
with the value of 68.05 followed by T7 (2 Parts of of photosynthates from source (leaves) to sink
garden soil + 1 Part of FYM and pressmud + (tubers) by source sink action. The ideal
19:19:19 NPK complex fertilizer @ 1.5% spray) combination of the media and its physico-
with the value of 65.65. The maximum number of chemical properties might also facilitate the
tubers may be due tothe foliar spray of nitrogen, production of more number of tubers per plant.
phosphorus, potassium and also the effect of The present findings are in agreement with the
nitrogen in providing better growth and findings of Sankari et al. (2019) in asparagus.

Table 2: Effect of growing media and nutrition on growth and physiological parameters in Asparagus
densiflorus„sprengeri‟ L at 270 days after planting

Dry weight Fresh weight Dry weightof

Chlorophyll Fresh weight of Dry matter
Treatments of foliage of roots and roots and Tubers
content foliage production
1 stalks/ tubers/ plant tubers/ plant per plant
(mg g- ) stalks/plant (g) (g)
plant (g) (g) (g)
T1 0.241 95.5 10.8 126.9 24.7 63.5 25.8
T2 0.289 138.9 17.3 239.2 38.3 94.7 48.6
T3 0.310 151.1 17.6 258.3 46.7 100.3 59.9
T4 0.295 141.9 18.1 237.0 65.0 96.1 51.4
T5 0.301 145.0 18.4 244.7 48.7 97.5 54.2
T6 0.316 153.1 18.8 265.1 52.8 101.6 62.8
T7 0.319 157.7 19.1 273.9 55.5 103.1 65.6
T8 0.307 148.0 18.6 251.5 50.1 98.9 57.1
T9 0.326 159.3 20.0 278.6 57.3 109.5 68.0
S.Ed 0.003 1.45 0.20 3.45 0.92 0.69 1.43
CD (P=0.05) 0.006 2.91 0.41 6.91 1.84 1.39 2.86

Yield and quality parameters 3). The increase in number of foliage stalk may
be due to the reduced soil moisture loss,
The treatment T9 (2 Parts of garden soil + increased soil physico-chemical and biological
1 Part of FYM, decomposed coirpith and properties, increased soil organic matter and
pressmud + 19:19:19 NPK complex fertilizer @ nutrient content in the best treatment which
1.5% spray) recorded the maximum (36.5) indirectly improved vigorous plant and ultimately
number of foliage stalks per plant followed by T7 lead to more number of good quality foliage
(2 Parts of garden soil + 1 Part of FYM and stalks per plant. The results are in line with the
pressmud + 19:19:19 NPK complex fertilizer @ findings of Kavana et al. (2019) in
1.5% spray) with the value of 35.1. The minimum Nephrolepisfern.
value of 16.5 was recorded in the control (Table

Table 3: Effect of growing media and nutrition on yield and quality parameters in Asparagus
densiflorus„sprengeri‟ L

Vase life (days )

Treatments Foliage stalks/plant Visual scoring
Without pulsing With pulsing
T1 16.5 6.15 3.78 6.63
T2 28.0 8.21 7.13 10.81
T3 33.0 8.61 8.31 12.27
T4 29.4 8.18 7.44 11.19
T5 30.8 8.45 7.74 11.56
T6 34.4 8.98 8.45 12.46
T7 35.1 9.16 8.76 12.85
T8 32.3 8.52 8.03 11.92
T9 36.5 9.38 9.05 13.25
S.Ed 0.73 0.16 0.15 0.20
CD (P=0.05) 1.47 0.22 0.31 0.41
423 Effect of media and nutrition on Asparagus densiflorus

In view of quality aspects as visual suppress the ethylene and absisic acid to
scoring and vaselife of foliage stalk both under prolong the vase life and appearance of cut
with and without pulsing, the treatment T9(2 foliage. Also, the stimulatory effects of foliar
Parts of garden soil + 1 Part of FYM, application of NPK might have resulted in
decomposed coirpith andpressmud + 19:19:19 greater accumulation of assimilates which leads
NPK complex fertilizer @ 1.5% spray)was found to stronger cut stems. Similar findings were
to be the excellent treatment combination with given by Sandeep et al., (2018) in
the values of 9.3, 13.2 and 9.0 days, followed by Nephrolepisfern and Kayalvizhi et al., (2013) in
T7(2 Parts of garden soil + 1 Part of FYM Asparagus densiflorus „Meyersii.
andpressmud + 19:19:19 NPK complex fertilizer From the results, it may be concluded
@ 1.5% spray) with the values of 9.1,12.8 days that the treatment T9 (2 Parts of garden soil + 1
and 8.7 days, respectively than the control (6.1, Part of FYM, decomposed coirpithandpressmud
6.6 days and 3.7 days respectively) (Table.3). + 19:19:19 NPK complex fertilizer @ 1.5%
The increase in quality aspects might be due to spray) was found to be significantly beneficial
higher carbohydrate and other essential with respect to growth, physiological, yield and
nutrients deposition in vegetative cells, which quality parameters of Asparagus cut foliage
resulted in thickening of cells and production of andfor the effective cultivation underopen field
good quality and attractive foliage. The cultivation in the coastal ecosystem.
thickened and good quality cells were useful to

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