Diseases of Asparagus

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L) is a perennial vegetable grown for its delicious tender spears (shoots) which emerge in the spring. The crop is grown on every continent except Antarctica and thus has acquired a wide range of diseases and pests depending on the region. Plantings should last for 10–15 years yet biotic and abiotic disorders can reduce the longevity of plantings. Foremost among the diseases that are most important in asparagus production are: Fusarium crown and root rot, asparagus rust, purple spot, Phytophthora root rot, Cercospora blight, Phomopsis blight, and Asparagus viruses I and II. The major and some minor diseases of asparagus are discussed along with management strategies in this chapter.