Individual and combined effects of flooding, Phytophthora rot, and metalaxyl on asparagus establishment

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) crowns (cultivar U.C. 157) were transplanted into noninfested plots or plots that had been infested with both Phytophthora megasperma var. sojae and P. cryptogea before transplanting. Immediately after transplanting, metalaxyl was sprayed over half of the infested and half of the noninfested plots at 1.12 kg a.i/ha. Plots were then flooded for 48 hr every 2, 3, 4, or 8 wk or not flooded at all. In 1984, flooding frequency was the same, but flooding duration was reduced to two 8-hr flooding periods separated by 16 hr of drainage (.)