Analysis of Nutrients Content of Iranian Asparagus Species and Its Relationship with Environmental Conditions by Canonical Correlation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the spear (edible part of asparagus) nutritional value of Iranian asparagus species in terms of macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and assessment of its relationship with soil and environmental factors by Canonical correlation analysis. Spears were collected from 12 regions of Iran. By noticed to our results, wild Asparagus species in Iran are distributed in different climates as wet.warm temperate in the north, dry.desertic in the south, cold and dry in the west, warm and dry in the center and cool with mediterranean conditions. The results revealed that the average fresh weight of one spear in male was 6.57g and in female was 7.42g. Dry matter in male gender (16.56%) was obtained more than in female gender (14.63%). According to the t test difference between male and female genders were not significant in term of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. Standard canonical coefficients in the first canonical variable environmental factors showed the effects of AminT and AT on spear nitrogen and phosphorus content. Canonical loadings result clear that spears with high phosphorus (more than 0.7%) were produced in areas with low pH (less than 8.2 and next to 7), while in this condition potassium level was reduced (to 2.98%). Spears with high potassium (more than 8%) were obtained in areas with low rainfall (annually 154mm) and high altitude (1600m). Reduction rainfall and increasing altitude had caused reducing amount of spear nitrogen (less than 0.84%).