Morphological Characterization of Different Genotypes of Ornamental Asparagus

Abstract

Ornamental species of the genus Asparagus are widely valued in floriculture for their delicate cladophyll-based foliage, aesthetic appeal, and use as cut greens and landscape plants. Despite their commercial importance, systematic morphological characterisation of different genotypes remains limited, particularly under subtropical Indian conditions. The study was undertaken to evaluate the vegetative growth, cladophyll traits, and postharvest performance of five ornamental taxa, namely Asparagus densiflorus ‘Meyersii’, A. densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’, Asparagus setaceus (syn. A. plumosus), A. aethiopicus, and A. retrofractus (syn. A. macowanii). The experiment was conducted under pot-culture conditions for three consecutive years (2022–2025) at the Horticultural Research Station, Assam Agricultural University, Kahikuchi, Guwahati, Assam, using a completely randomised design with three replications. The pooled results revealed significant interspecific variation in growth and ornamental traits. A. setaceus exhibited the greatest plant height (163.09 cm), canopy spread, cladophyll number (128.5 plant⁻¹), and internodal length, indicating vigorous growth and high cut-foliage productivity. In contrast, A. densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ produced the longest (61.33 cm) and broadest (19.47 cm) cladophylls, contributing to a bold ornamental texture. The cultivar A. densiflorus ‘Meyersii’ recorded the highest number of branches per cladophyll (277.27), greatest fresh weight (24.90 g), longest petiole (23.43 cm), and longest vase life (7.9 days), reflecting high biomass production and postharvest quality. A. aethiopicus and A. retrofractus exhibited compact growth habits with comparatively long cladophyll longevity, making them suitable for pot culture and low-maintenance ornamental use. All evaluated genotypes showed good plant health, with negligible pest and disease incidence. Based on their overall performance, A. setaceus and A. densiflorus ‘Meyersii’ were identified as the most promising genotypes for commercial cut greens, whereas A. densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ was considered suitable for producing a bold foliage effect and the remaining taxa for compact ornamental and landscape applications. The study provides useful baseline data for genotype selection and the improvement of ornamental Asparagus for floriculture diversification.