UC
157 was developed by Frank Takatori and Frank
Southers at the University of California at
Riverside in 1978. Many new varieties have been
developed and tried since then but after 23 years on
the market, UC 157 is still the most widely planted
fresh market asparagus variety in the world.
With UC 157 F1, the grower produces early spears
that are all-green with tight, tapering heads. The
lack of purplish coloring in UC 157 helps to
distinguish it from other varieties. Many markets
will not accept asparagus with the purplish
pigmentation.
Harvest temperatures that exceed 80 degrees F (27
degrees C) will cause other varieties to produce
open or loose heads. But with UC 157 F1, the spears
maintain a nice, tight head.
UC 157 is tolerant of Rust (Puccinia asparagi) and
highly tolerant of Fusarium (Fusarium oxysporum).
Seed produced by Cutter Asparagus is tested to be
free of Asparagus Latent Virus 2.
F2 (open pollinated seed) of UC 157 asparagus is not
true to type, and the resulting plants will exhibit
variability. This results in a lower quality
product as well as a shorter-lived field due to the
break down in tolerance to Fusarium.
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