F1 asparagus seed produces crops with higher yields, greater uniformity and better disease resistance than crops grown from F2 seed.Results from a field trial at Lincoln, New Zealand in which yields from plants grown from F1 and F2 seed of two hybrids showed that marketable yield was between 2 and 3 times higher and plant survival six years after planting was 20-25% higher in plants grown from F1 seed.F1 and F2 seed looks the same so it is difficult to tell whether the grower is buying true F1 asparagus seed.Geochemical profiling of asparagus seed for a suite of trace elements and stable isotopes of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen provided a simple, cost effective method to identify seed grown in a particular location.