MARKET DISEASES OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 6 



Although several insect pests may damage asparagus plants in the 

 field, the feeding marks and eggs of the asparagus beetle are about 

 the only injuries noted on the market. 



(See 7, 8, % 26, 31, 32, 35, p.) 2 



BACTERIAL SOFT ROT 



(Encinia carotovora (Jones) Holland) 



Bacterial soft rot is the only decay of asparagus that has an odor. 

 Like that of many other vegetables affected with bacterial soft rot, 

 the odor is barely noticeable in the early stages of decay, but in 

 the advanced stages it becomes very disagreeable. 



Bacterial soft rot is most frequently found affecting the tips 

 and cut ends of the shoots, but it may develop at any point where 

 breaks in the epidermis occur (pi. 1,2?). The bacteria responsible for 

 this decay undoubtedly are more or less common in the soil and in 

 water. They become destructive when high temperature and breaks 

 in the protective cover of the tissues render conditions favorable for 

 their attack. 



The development of bacterial soft rot in asparagus during transit 

 may be controlled by discarding all badly bruised and crushed 

 shoots and by immediately precooling the marketable stock to about 

 40° F., so that the transit refrigeration provided will be able to main- 

 tain low temperatures throughout the trip. 



For a detailed discussion see Celery, Bacterial Soft Rot, p. 46. 



BEETLE INJURY 



The asparagus beetle {Crioceris asparagi (L.)) is a very important 

 cause of injury to asparagus on the market. The insect overwinters in 

 plant rubbish in the adult or beetle stage and emerges early in the 

 season to feed upon the young shoots and deposit eggs upon them. 

 The small black eggs are deposited in great numbers upon the young 

 shoots and are very hard to remove. The presence of these eggs upon 

 the shoots greatly reduces the market value of asparagus. The feed- 

 ing marks of the beetle may also blemish the shoots and at times 

 open the way for the entrance of decay-producing bacteria and fungi. 



FUSARIUM ROT (WILT) 



(Fusarium spp.) 



Species of Fusarium often invade the tips and other parts of ten- 

 der asparagus shoots, causing considerable loss in shipments to distant 

 markets. These fungi first appear as a white fluffy mold, which 

 later may become slightly pink (pi. 1, C). The affected tissues are 

 watersoaked at first, later changing to yellow and brown. Side 

 lesions sometimes extend 2 or 3 inches lengthwise of the shoots. Af- 

 fected tips may become completely covered with mold and the tissues 

 converted into a soft watery mass. No odor accompanies this decay 

 unless bacteria also are present. 



2 Italic numbers in parentheses refer to Literature Cited, p. 60. 



