UC 157 is the most widely planted fresh market asparagus variety in the world. Developed by Frank Takatori and Frank Southers at the University of California at Riverside in 1978, UC 157 is tolerant of Rust (Puccinia asparagi) and highly tolerant of Fusarium (Fusarium oxysporum). F2 is the second generation hybrid produced from the original UC 157, developed and released by University of California-Davis. This variety shows early production, multi-spear initiation (3-5 at a time), uniformity in color & size, and heavier yields than other commercial varieties.