Morphological characteristics

Roots

1. Types of roots

Primary roots: formed when seeds germinate, are slender, and have a lifespan of only a few moon.

Storage roots: (succulent roots) are strip-shaped roots that originate from underground stem nodes. They are 4 to 6 mm in diameter and have a long life. They play the role of transporting and storing nutrients.

Absorptive roots: The slender roots that develop from storage roots and are renewed every year.

2. Root development and distribution:

Development sequence: primary root - fleshy root - absorptive root

Distribution: Asparagus is a deep-rooted plant. Most of the root groups are distributed within 1 to 2 m, with a maximum length of 3 m. The lateral distribution radius of the roots is 90 to 120 cm, with a maximum length of 1.5 to 1.9 m. The absorption capacity is strong.

3. Asparagus root system characteristics: Asparagus stems are divided into underground stems and above-ground stems, each with different functions. Asparagus has a fibrous root system, consisting of fleshy storage roots and fibrous absorptive roots. Fleshy storage roots originate from underground rhizome nodes. Most of them are distributed in the soil layer 30 centimeters above the surface. They have a long life. As long as the growing point is not damaged, they can continue to extend forward every year, generally up to about 2 meters. They can fix the plant and store it. The role of stems and leaves in assimilating nutrients.

Third-like absorptive roots occur on the fleshy storage roots. The whisker-like absorptive roots have a short life span and will shrink at any time under adverse conditions such as high temperature, drought, soil salt return or acid-base discomfort, excessive water, and insufficient air. Asparagus has well-developed roots that can extend up to about 3 meters horizontally and about 2 meters deep in the soil. But most of the root mass is distributed in the cultivated layer within 30 cm.

Stems

The tender stems of asparagus are the product organs. The quantity and quality of the tender stems depend on the number and development status of the bulbs. The quantity and quality of buds depend on the development status of underground stems. The development and growth of buds and the formation of tender stems depend on the nutrients accumulated in the fleshy roots. However, the amount of nutrients stored in the fleshy roots depends on the growth time and lushness of the above-ground branches and leaves in the previous year. It can be seen that the key to asparagus cultivation is to cultivate luxuriant plants, create good soil and nutritional conditions, promote good growth of root groups, accumulate rich nutrients, and ensure the healthy growth of scale buds.

Asparagus stems are divided into three parts: underground rhizomes, bulbs and aboveground stems. Underground rhizomes are shortened, abnormal stems that grow mostly horizontally. When the branches become dense, new branches grow upward, causing the root disk to rise. The fleshy storage roots grow on rhizomes. The rhizome has many nodes, and the buds on the nodes are wrapped in scales, so they are called scale buds. The apex of the rhizome has many bulbous buds, forming a cluster of bulbous buds. The bulbous buds germinate to form bulb product organs or above-ground plants. The above-ground stems are fleshy stems, and their tender stems are the product.

The thickness of asparagus varies depending on the age, variety, gender, climate, soil and cultivation and management conditions of the plant. Generally, the stems of young or old plants are thinner than those of adult plants, and male plants are thinner than female plants. High temperature, insufficient fertilizer and water, and weak plants. The stems drawn without soil are thinner. The height of the above-ground stems is generally between 1.5 and 2 meters, and the height can reach more than 2 meters. Female plants are mostly taller than male plants, but have fewer stems and lower yields. Male plants are shorter, but have more stems and higher yields.