ASPARAGUS PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES, WA

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: SPECIAL GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0222123
• Grant No.: 2010-34451-21132
• Proposal No.: 2010-02925
• Project Start Date: Jul 15, 2010
• Project End Date: Jul 14, 2012
• Grant Year: 2010
• Program Code: [RN]- Asparagus Production Technologies, WA

Recipient Organization
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
240 FRENCH ADMINISTRATION BLDG
PULLMAN,WA 99164-0001

Performing Department
Ag Research Center

Non Technical Summary
The asparagus industry is currently dependent on labor, requiring major financial resources. Half of the current costs of production, packing, processing, and distribution are composed of labor costs. With NAFTA and the Andean Trade Pact in place, the asparagus industry in the U.S., with wages of $9.00 per hour and higher, is attempting to compete with the countries where the labor costs are $0.40 to $0.60 per hour. Mears (1977) noted that, if labor costs increased relative to the selling price of asparagus, mechanization of the current processes was necessary. If the U.S. asparagus industry is to ensure a competitive position, it must substitute technology for labor and shift the workforce to value-added employment.

A sound and efficiently operated system for the production, distribution, and marketing of a specialty crop, such as asparagus, is essential to a prosperous and competitive industry, which contributes to employment and economic prosperity of the agricultural sector.

The objectives of this project are:
1. Improving the productivity of asparagus fields, to reduce the costs of production per pound through alternative production and harvesting (mechanical) scenarios using less labor or using labor more efficiently;
2. Assessing the state of knowledge for food safety interventions in the asparagus industry;
3. Developing and delivering a sustainable asparagus miner management program;
4. Examining the economics of mechanical harvesting of asparagus;
5. Examining the market demand for organic asparagus; and
6. Exploring the horticultural issues associated with direct seed of asparagus fields.

Animal Health Component

75%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

75%

Developmental

25%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
402	1430	2020	33%
712	1430	1060	13%
205	1430	1060	19%
603	1430	3010	13%
212	1430	1160	22%

Knowledge Area
212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants; 603 - Market Economics; 205 - Plant Management Systems; 712 - Protect Food from Contamination by Pathogenic Microorganisms, Parasites, and Naturally Occurring Toxins; 402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment;

Subject Of Investigation
1430 - Greens and leafy vegetables;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 1060 - Biology (whole systems); 1160 - Pathology; 3010 - Economics;

Keywords

asparagus

mechanical harvester

food safety

direct-seeded asparagus

asparagus miner

organic asparagus

Goals / Objectives
The Washington/Oregon asparagus industry has experienced significant changes in the last two decades. The acreage in Washington has been steadily declining since its peak of 32,000 acres in 1989. Currently Washington asparagus is produced on approximately 8,000 acres, the fewest farmed since 1971. Acreage reduction has been a direct result of declining asparagus profitability related to other crops, in addition to the increased global competition of imported asparagus coming into the U.S. Washington has primarily been an asparagus-processing state, and farmers received $0.10 per pound more for processed asparagus compared to product for the fresh market. Washington has recently lost its processing market to its foreign competitors further reducing profitability. The final and largest processor is no longer accepting Washington asparagus and is now sourcing its product from Peru.

The entire U.S. asparagus industry is facing increased competition from foreign markets. Since 1994, the U.S. market share of world exports of asparagus has experienced a dramatic decline due to the emergence of Peru and Mexico as producers. Although U.S. production in 2008 was down nearly 15 percent from 2007, both Peru and Mexico are experiencing increased or steady production. Despite the decline in U.S. production, total utilization (consumption) steadily increases annually.

Foreign production is affecting the domestic asparagus market. In 2008, the United States imported 136,168 metric tons of fresh asparagus, up from 81,762 metric tons in 2002. Mexico and Peru accounted for nearly 98.5 percent of U.S. imports: Peru leads with 76,793 metric tons and Mexico follows with 57,334 metric tons. Both countries benefit by trade agreements implemented by the U.S. for Mexico, a preferential tariff through NAFTA, while Peruvian-produced asparagus benefits from duty-free access through the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA). To compete with the foreign supplies that come from these countries that have extremely low-paid labor, it is paramount that the Washington/Oregon and Michigan asparagus industries lower per-unit costs through labor-saving technology or increase their revenue through value-added products.

The proposed research will focus on engineering, horticultural, pathological, and economic studies to address the primary goal of achieving economic sustainability of the fresh market asparagus industry in the United States.

The specific objectives are:
1. Improving the productivity of asparagus fields, to reduce the costs of production per pound through alternative production and harvesting (mechanical) scenarios using less labor or using labor more efficiently;
2. Assessing the state of knowledge for food safety interventions in the asparagus industry;
3. Developing and delivering a sustainable asparagus miner management program;
4. Examining the economics of mechanical harvesting of asparagus;
5. Examining the market demand for organic asparagus; and
6. Exploring the horticultural issues associated with direct seed of asparagus fields.

Project Methods
To accomplish the objectives of the proposed research, scientists with established credentials working with asparagus and related crops were solicited to propose projects that would address the specific objectives.

The Principal Investigator worked closely with the Washington and Michigan Asparagus Commissions to ensure the relevance of the projects and the relative priority among them for funding. All projects were submitted to a non-conflicted scientific peer review.

Because of the short seasonality of asparagus production, we request that use of these funds be authorized beginning with April 1, 2010.

Distribution of results to the industry will be accomplished through field days, written reports, presentations to the relevant asparagus commissions, and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Progress 07/15/10 to 07/14/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Washington State University (WSU) Research:
Experiments are underway to evaluate two herbicide treatments for each three asparagus establishment methods: direct seed, seedling, and crown. Number and weight of spears harvested differed due to herbicide application, and seedling-planted asparagus appears to be as productive, in terms of spear weight and number, as crown-planted asparagus one year after establishment.

Field testing of the Haws Asparagus Harvester was completed to collect data on mechanized harvester efficiency parameters using a field plot experimental design and field scale tests. Data collected included speed, number of asparagus spears missed per pass, and number of spears damaged. The harvester was tested and shown to be effective. Efficiency results were reported; an economic evaluation of the harvester was completed; and it was demonstrated at a field day. Report results were presented at the Washington Asparagus Growers meeting. Harvester data were presented at the Washington and California Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers workshops and are available on-line at http://www.taaforfarmers.org/commodity/.

Michigan State University (MSU) Research
Obj. 1: Asparagus miner pupae developmental rate and lower developmental threshold were measured in growth chambers. Data indicate nonlinear decrease of pupal duration as temperature increases above the lower developmental threshold between 9-12C. In 2011, abundance of adult asparagus miners in commercial fields, where weather stations have been placed, was monitored. Degree-days were correlated with phenological events in the miner's life cycle. In 2010-2011 adult miner abundance data from the field was used to evaluate model's predictive ability. Correlation between actual and predicted degree-days (R2 =0.96 ; P< 0.01) for phenological events was found, using 10C for a developmental threshold. The predicted degree-day (DD) is 200 DD for spring adult emergence, 650 DD for 1st adult peak flight, ~1900 DD for 2nd adult peak, and 2300 DD for end of adult activity. After validation in 2012, the degree-day model will be available to growers.

Obj. 2: Preliminary headspace samples were taken from intact, mechanically damaged and black cutworm-damaged asparagus plants. Major components include cis-3-hexen-1-ol, 6-methyl-5-hepten-one, β-caryophyllene, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, and nonanal. Trap baits were created for field trials in 2011. Miner abundance was significantly greater on yellow sticky traps baited with cis-3-hexen-1-ol compared with the control providing evidence that plant volatiles can attract asparagus miner adults.

Obj. 3: In 2010-2011, pupae from infested asparagus stems in commercial asparagus fields near Hart, MI, were collected and four morphospecies were found: a eulophid, a braconid, and two pteromalids. Because specific species have not been identified, it is unclear whether these are the same species described by Barnes (1937), but specimens are being identified to species with the help of taxonomic experts at the Smithsonian Institution. The pteromalid family is the most commonly occurring parasitoid of the asparagus miner in MI. PARTICIPANTS: WSU participants:
J. S. Neibergs, School of Economic Sciences C.D. Clary, Dept of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture C.M. Read., Dept of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture C. Densmore, School of Economic Sciences R. Boydston, USDA-ARS

MSU participants:
Z. Szendrei, Asst. Professor, Department of Entomology; William R. Morrison, Graduate Student, Department of Entomolgy. TARGET AUDIENCES: Asparagus growers, scientists interested in IPM, chemical ecology and taxonomy. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
WSU Research:
The economic analysis demonstrated that the harvester is economically feasible at the farm scale, the importance of intra-seasonal yield variation, and that operating the harvester over a full harvesting season is viable. The analysis also examined the value of broken asparagus spear tips that can be sold to specialized restaurant markets.
Through the TAA program the harvester economic analysis was presented to asparagus producers in Washington, California and Michigan. Following our presentation in California, producers expressed interest in purchasing the harvester as a joint venture.
Preliminary results were provided to Washington asparagus growers.

Michigan State University (MSU) Research:
Overall, this project has had an impact on asparagus growers in Michigan, especially in Oceana County, which is the main asparagus-growing region in Michigan. Starting in 2013, growers will be able to time their insecticide applications to the peak adult flight of the miner; therefore damage to asparagus plants is expected to be reduced by 50%. A reduction in miner damage will translate into a reduction in Fusarium infection, so the longevity of plantings will be extended (expected increase by 3-5 years). As a result of better monitoring through baited traps, growers will be able to tell if an application is needed to control the asparagus miner. Through our project we were able to detect that not all asparagus farms have a second generation of asparagus miners, therefore monitoring in the field is critical before making an insecticide application.

Publications

• C.D. Clary and C.M. Read, Asparagus Harvester Trials Evaluation of the Haws Selective Mechanical Harvester, Washington Asparagus Commission, December 2010.
• Szendrei, Z., Morrison, W.R. (2011) Asparagus miner fact sheet. MSU Bulletin-E3143. 4 pp. http://bookstore.msue.msu.edu/Bulletin/PDF/E3143.pdf
• Szendrei, Z., Morrison, W.R. Asapragus miner research. Proceedings of the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Expo. 2010.
• CAT Alert article (2010) on asparagus miner management research results at the end of the growing season (http://www.ipm.msu.edu/cat10veg/V09-08-10sm.pdf)
• Asparagus miner research update. Asparagus session. 20 minute talk. Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Expo. Dec. 7-9, 2010. Grand Rapids, MI.
• This media article was the result of an interview conducted in an asparagus field. "Michigan growers pull for a new entomologist." By Matt Milkovich. Vegetable Growers News, July 2010.
• Asparagus miner integrated pest management. Talk to ca. 30 growers. Oceana Field Day, Organizer: N. Myers. Sep. 7, 2010.
• EPA Decision Makers' Tour. Talk about our asparagus project. July 21-22, 2010.
• Results of our research are posted at the MSU Vegetable Entomology website: http://vegetable.ent.msu.edu/extension/insect-counts/asparagus-miner- trapping-results/ and http://vegetable.ent.msu.edu/research/asparagus-miner-research/ 2012.
• Amanda Sollman (CANR Communications) wrote an article about our project for an Issue-Action-Impact newsletter (the publication for Project GREEEN) http://www.greeen.msu.edu/greeen/projects/one_miner_growers_do_not_wa nt_to_save 2011.
• Oceana Asparagus Day. 30 min presentation of our asparagus results to about 70 asparagus growers. March 10, 2011. Hart, MI
• Oceana Scout Training Workshop. Taught asparagus insect scouting to 15 attendees. Hart, MI, June 28, 2011. Organizer: N. Myers.
• Oceana consultant's breakfast. Updated 6 scouts/consultants on asparagus pest management. Hart, MI. July 19, 2011.
• Szendrei, Z., Morrison, W.R. Asparagus miner ecology and management research update. Proceedings of the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market Expo. 2011.
• Asparagus miner ecology and management research update. Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market Expo. Dec. 6-8, 2011. Grand Rapids, MI. 20 minute presentation in the Asparagu Session.
• Peer-reviewed journal article with graduate student as lead author: "Morrison, W.R., Tuell, J., Hausbeck, M., Szendrei, Z. (2011) Constraints on asparagus production: the association of Ophiomya simplex (Diptera: Agromyzidae) and Fusarium spp. Crop Science 51(4): 1414-1423
• Szendrei, Z. Testing insecticides on asparagus, onions. Vegetable Growers News. Vol. 45(3), March 2011, p. 24
• Morrison W.R., and Szendrei, Z. Developing a degree-day model to improve asparagus miner (Diptera: Agromyzidae) management in Michigan. 59th Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Reno, Nevada, USA, Nov. 14, 2011. Talk in student competition.
• Morrison, W.R., and Szendrei, Z. Parasitoid community of the asparagus miner (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in commercial asparagus fields in Michigan. North Central Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN, March 13-16, 2011. Poster in student competition.
• Article published at the MSUE Extension Vegetable News "Asparagus insect pests: asparagus beetle and asparagus miner". May 23, 2011. By Z. Szendrei http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/asparagus_insect_pests_asparagus_beetle_ and_asparagus_minerhttp://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/the_asparagus_miner_a nd_its_natural_enemies_in_michigan
• Article published at the MSUE Extension Vegetable News "The asparagus miner and its natural enemies in Michigan". March 19, 2012. By W.R. Morrison and Z. Szendrei http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/the_asparagus_miner_and_its_natural_enem ies_in_michigan
• Asparagus insect management update. Oceana Asparagus Day. 160 grower attendees. Hart, MI, March 8, 2012. Organizer: N. Myers.

Progress 07/15/10 to 07/14/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1. Washington State University (WSU):
For direct seeding and transplanting asparagus to be successful in Washington, optimum herbicide programs are needed. Optimum weed management programs will differ from those used in crown-established asparagus due to susceptibility of young plants to herbicide damage. This study compares response of direct seeded, transplanted and crown-established asparagus (var. "Jersey Knight") to two weed management regimes.

The study is conducted at the Roza Farm at WSU's Prosser, WA Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC) and is a split plot design with 4 replications. The main plot is planting method (direct seed, transplant, and crown-established) and main plot size is 4.06 x 12.19 meters. Split plot is weed management regime and split plot size is 4.06 x 6.1 meters. This study was planted in 2010 and 2011 in order to evaluate impact of herbicides on first-year growth two times.

Weed management treatments for crown-planted asparagus in 2011 were 1) linuron plus pendimethalin applied preemergence 4/27/11, hand weeding 6/10/11 and 7/5/11, clethodim applied 7/8/11, linuron applied 7/15/11, and hand weeded 8/4/11; and 2) isoxaben plus pendimethalin applied preemergence 4/27/11, hand weeding 6/10/11 and 7/5/11, clethodim applied 7/8/11, bentazon applied 7/15/11, and hand weeded 8/4/11.

Weed management treatments for tranplanted asparagus in 2011 were; 1) linuron plus clethodim applied 6/10/11, clethodim applied 7/1/2010, hand weeding 7/5/11, linuron applied 7/15/11, and hand weeded 8/4/11; and 2) bentazon plus clethodim applied 6/10/11, clethodim applied 7/1/11, hand weeded 7/5/11, rimsulfuron applied 7/15/11, and hand weeded 8/4/11.

Direct seeded asparagus treatments were abandoned in 2011 following poor emergence of seedlings. Data collection includes number of weeds, time spent hand weeding, and asparagus injury, height, and stem counts. Asparagus injury and/or weed numbers or weed control ratings were collected May 16, June 10, June 17, July 5, July 21, July 29, August 5, and August 10. Number of spears and spear diameter were measured on May 16, June 28, August 23, and will be measured again October 18. Yield data from the 2010-planted study was collected for a 2-week harvest period in April 13 to 27, 2011.

2. Michigan State University (MSU):
Research was conducted on asparagus to help growers limit the reduction of yields in replant fields infested with soilborne pathogens. Fifteen fungicides were tested on asparagus spears in the laboratory and 13 fungicides on asparagus seedlings in the greenhouse for the control of Phytophthora. Presidio, Curzate, Manzate, Ranman, V10208 and Experimental treatments were effective at limiting spear rot in two out of three runs. A second treatment of 11 herbicides was applied to crowns planted in 2009 and a trial with crowns newly planted in 2010 received one application of 13 herbicide treatments. Both experiments showed herbicide damage due to the Callisto treatment and the grower standard program. Crowns planted in Telone-fumigated soil had the highest number of ferns per 20 feet, although this was not statistically significant. PARTICIPANTS: 1. WSU: These studies were conducted collaboratively between a scientist in the Washington State University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and a scientist with USDA-ARS. In addition, direct seeding background information was provided by scientists.

2. MSU: Dr. Mary K. Hausbeck, PI, Plant Pathology, Michigan State University. In addition, research was done in cooperation with other Michigan State University researchers and grower cooperators. Dr. Mathieu Ngouajio, Department of Horticulture, MSU, provided assistance in establishing the variety trials and provided guidance on herbicide selection for studies conducted in the greenhouse and field. Commercial growers Ralph and Ken Oomen provided land and asparagus crowns for the fumigation, herbicide, and crown soak studies. John Bakker, Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, coordinated the Great Lakes Expo Asparagus Educational Session where 2010 research results were presented. TARGET AUDIENCES: Commercial asparagus growers, agricultural extension professionals PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
1. WSU: Results from 2010 show the number of spears was greatest for transplanted asparagus and tended to be least for crowns. Fern height and spear diameter differed significantly due to establishment method and were lowest for direct seeded asparagus. Number of common lambsquarters was significantly greater in the isoxaben herbicide treatment of crown-established asparagus; however, barnyard grass control was significantly less in this herbicide regime. The amount of hand weeding time and cost per acre were significantly greater for direct seeded asparagus than for crown or transplant established asparagus.

2. MSU: This project was developed in collaboration with the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board in response to the 3 top priorities identified by the industry. Most asparagus growers in Michigan are forced to replant old fields that are infested with both Fusarium and Phytophthora. Developing integrated strategies to reduce replant suppression will increase the life span of new plantings and stabilize this industry which currently faces tough foreign competition. An integrated strategy that lowers the pathogen levels in replant fields and maximize crown growth through chemical and cultural strategies will help minimize replant suppression will help revive the asparagus industry.

Publications

• Hausbeck, M.K., and Cortright, B.D. 2010. Asparagus disease research update. Pages 11-14 in: Asparagus Session Summaries, Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo. Online.
• Rodriguez-Salamanca, L.M., Foster, J.M., and Hausbeck, M.K. 2009. Greenhouse and field herbicide evaluation on asparagus plants. Abstr. Page 76 in: XIIth International Asparagus Symposium, 29 Oct-1 Nov, Lima, Peru.
• Hausbeck, M., and Cortright, B. 2009. New management techniques for Fusarium and Phytophthora control in asparagus production. Michigan State University Extension Vegetable Crop Advisory Alert 24:(Aug 26). Online.
• Presentations
  "Asparagus disease research update," B. Cortright and M. Hausbeck, Asparagus Session, Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo, Grand Rapids, MI, Dec 2010.
• "What's new in fumigation," B. Cortright and M. Hausbeck, Plasticulture Session, Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo, Grand Rapids, MI, Dec 2010.
• "Lessons learned when fumigating Michigan State University trials," M.K. Hausbeck and B. Cortright, Wilbur-Ellis Meeting, East Lansing, MI, Mar 2010.
• "Asparagus disease update," M.K. Hausbeck and B. Cortright, Asparagus Commodity Meeting, East Lansing, MI, Jan 2010.
• "Greenhouse and field herbicide evaluation on asparagus plants," L.M. Rodriguez-Salamanca, J.M. Foster, and M.K. Hausbeck, XIIth International Asparagus Symposium, Lima, Peru, Oct 2009. Poster presentation.