This fungus attacks many other crops, such as strawberries and other small fruit, potatoes, beans, and other vegetables, and many ornamentals. Botrytis spores are spread by wind and rain within the dense fern canopy. Control Zineb will also give some control of Botrytis when used regularly for rust control. Though several viruses have been identified in asparagus in Europe and Western U.S.A., they have not yet been reported in Ontario. As fern growth becomes dense, more water and higher rates of pesticides must be used to obtain adequate spray coverage.
Good coverage is essential, especially for protective fungicides like zineb.
In conclusion, as a perennial crop, asparagus is a long-term investment. It will pay to monitor pests regularly throughout the harvest and growing seasons. Only then can problems be detected and controlled before they cause long-term economic damage. This information is provided as a public service, but we cannot guarantee that the information is current or accurate. Readers should verify the information before acting on it.