EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM FERTIRRIGATION IN ASPARAGUS (Asparagus officinalis L.) IN THE CABORCA, SONORA REGION

The objectives of the present investigation were to determine the effect of the doses of nitrogen and potassium on asparagus of low plant density, and the best percentage of reference evapotranspiration. The experiment was carried out in the Experimental Site of Caborca of the INIFAP, during the 2005-2006 growing season in asparagus var. Atlas of eight years old. The treatments of nitrogen and potassium were 100.0 kg ha(-1) and 300.50 kg ha(-1), respectively and the treatments of reference evapotranspiration (ETo) were: 72%, 128% and 217% ETo in a completely randomized experimental design with four replications. The evaluated variables were the amount of water applied, plant height, asparagus class and yield. The results indicate that there was no effect of nitrogen and potassium doses applied. Furthermore, it is recommended to continue with this kind of experiments testing other doses on asparagus. The greatest effect of water applied was found in the large asparagus classification of low plants density with the 217% ETo treatment and 191 cm of water depth.