Growing asparagus: how to supply the asparagus with all its required nutrients

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Haifa's fertilization program and fertilizers help the asparagus growers in Mexico and Peru achieve great results

Soil type: Sandy.
Plant density: 15,000 plants/ha (low density promotes spear thickness).
Expected yield: 5 t/Ha on 1st crop cycle + 7 t/Ha on 2nd crop cycle.
Irrigation: Dripping.

Fertigation recommendations per crop cycle

N	P₂O₅	K₂O	Mg
---------------------------------------------------Kg / ha-----------------------------------------
160	80	180	20

Fertilization of asparagus in Mexico, by drip irrigation

The fertigation solution is composed as follows:
120 liter of water
6 liter of phosphoric acid, or 6 Kg Haifa MAP (12-61-0)
20 Kg of ammonium nitrate
10 Kg of Multi-K (potassium nitrate, 13-0-46)
20 Kg of Magnisal (magnesium nitrate) or magnesium sulphate
80 liter of water

Add the following amounts of the A/M solution to the irrigation water:

Season	Liters of the a/m fertilizer solution per day per Ha
January - March	10
April - August	15
September - October	10

Macro elements removed by 1 ton marketable product

N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
---------------------------------------------------Kg / ha-----------------------------------------
20-25	2.5-3.5	20-25

Source: Kinoch: VOLHOUBARE LANDBOU, RSA. Processed by Frans Lourens, Haifa, RSA May, 1999.

Plant analysis guide

Nutrient Sufficiency ranges (source: A & L, Agronomy Handbook, Ankerman & Large Eds.)

Asparagus	N	S	P	K	Mg	Ca	Na	B	Zn	Mn	Fe	Cu	Al
Asparagus	------------------------ % -------------------------							--------------- p.p.m ---------------
From	2.40	0.25	0.30	1.50	0.15	0.40	0.01	25	20	10	50	10	20
To	3.80	0.50	0.75	2.40	0.50	1.00	0.10	75	60	180	300	50	200

Plant part to sample

Time of Sampling	Midgrowth of fern
Plant part	4’’ tip section of new fern branch

Plant tissue sampling procedures

Stage of growth	Plant part
At maturity	Fern from 18-30 inches up