Asparagus in the Amazonian Savanna: cultivation, challenges, and potential for regional agricultural diversification

Abstract

The Amazonian savanna contains edaphoclimatic conditions that are challenging for agricultural production, characterized by high temperatures, hydric seasonality, and highly weathered soils, which require the adoption of adapted crops and management practices. In this context, asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) emerges as a potential alternative for agricultural diversification in frontier regions, provided it is supported by appropriate technical strategies. The objective of this study was to analyze, through a systematic literature review, the available evidence on asparagus cultivation in tropical savanna environments, with emphasis on agronomic adaptation, management, environmental stresses, plant health, postharvest aspects, and value-adding potential. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, using a structured search strategy in the scientific databases PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, and Web of Science, complemented by a search on Google Scholar. The included studies were organized according to the PICO framework and synthesized into thematic analytical axes. At the end of the screening and eligibility process, 37 studies comprised the analytical dataset. The results indicate that asparagus performance in tropical savannas is conditioned by the interaction between environment and water management, soil and fertility management, physiological responses to abiotic stresses, the sanitary status of production systems, and postharvest practices. Evidence suggests that planned irrigation can mitigate the absence of thermal winter, while edaphic limitations, particularly related to acidity and phosphorus availability, require specific soil management. Phytosanitary risks in perennial systems and high postharvest sensitivity are also highlighted, as well as the nutritional and functional potential of asparagus and its co-products. It was concluded that asparagus has potential for integration into agricultural systems in tropical savannas, provided its introduction is guided by technical planning, regional validation, and integrated management.