A plant breeder is claiming to have made great strides in its work to produce new asparagus varieties.

Hargreaves Plants’ unique asparagus trials in North West Norfolk are beginning to produce some excellent new material, the company claimed.

Jamie Petchell, Hargreaves’ asparagus boss, said: “Although we have actually 199 new lines from many famous breeders only 21 are available to cut this summer. The rest will be mature next season.

“However, even this year the range of quality, yield, colour and maturity is enough to demonstrate that both UK and EU growers will be able to move up several gears,” he added

The company has managed to produce not only greater yielding crops, but also asparagus which starts two weeks earlier, and later types, capable of production up to 10 days longer.

Petchell said: “The purple types from New Zealand are in a class of their own. The flavour is wonderful. Equally exciting is another green selection, also from New Zealand, which has delightful, uniform colour and a tight, attractive head. Of course, all need much more work over the next year or two.”

The company is confidently predicting a significant increase in the UK production over the next five years. Home production will rise even more quickly if the quality of the spears and the period of growing expand, Petchell said.

Hargreaves is now planning to hold a series of open days in 2006 for growers, marketing companies and multiple fresh produce buyers.

Topics