Antioxidant capacity of leafy vegetables as affected by high tunnel environment,fertilisation and growth stage

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the influences of protected environment, organic fertilisation and growth stage on the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values of leafy vegetables. RESULTS: In a first experiment, pac choi grown in high tunnels had significantly lower ORAC than field‐grown plants. Organic fertiliser markedly increased the antioxidant capacity of pac choi compared with conventional treatment, especially in the open field. However, both open field and organic production resulted in significantly lower yield and more severe leaf damage due to insect attack. In a second study, spinach showed the highest ORAC, followed by pac choi, red leaf lettuce and romaine lettuce. A significant decline in ORAC under high tunnel production was observed only in spinach. In contrast to the first trial, organic fertilisation did not cause an increase in antioxidant capacity of the leafy vegetables. The ORAC values of spinach from the open field and pac choi from high tunnels were significantly higher when harvested at the mature head stage than at the baby size stage. CONCLUSION: Further studies will help to elucidate effects of genotype, growth stage, and production environment on antioxidant capacities of vegetables and may lead to recommended practices to maximise antioxidant capacity of vegetable crops. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Phytochemical phenolics in organically grown vegetables

Fruit and vegetable intake is inversely correlated with risks for several chronic diseases in humans. Phytochemicals, and in particular, phenolic compounds, present in plant foods may be partly responsible for these health benefits through a variety of mechanisms. Since environmental factors play a role in a plant's production of secondary metabolites, it was hypothesized that an organic agricultural production system would increase phenolic levels. Cultivars of leaf lettuce, collards, and pac choi were grown either on organically certified plots or on adjacent conventional plots. Nine prominent phenolic agents were quantified by HPLC, including phenolic acids (e. g. caffeic acid and gallic acid) and aglycone or glycoside flavonoids (e. g. apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin, and quercetin). Statistically, we did not find significant higher levels of phenolic agents in lettuce and collard samples grown organically. The total phenolic content of organic pac choi samples as measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, however, was significantly higher than conventional samples (p < 0.01), and seemed to be associated with a greater attack the plants in organic plots by flea beetles. These results indicated that although organic production method alone did not enhance biosynthesis of phytochemicals in lettuce and collards, the organic system provided an increased opportunity for insect attack, resulting in a higher level of total phenolic agents in pac choi.     

Effect of manure and mineral fertilisation on pepper nutritional quality

BACKGROUND: The influence of farming systems on fruit quality remains controversial and the different aspects associated with each agricultural management system need to be studied separately to elucidate any specific effect on fruit quality. To this end, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to examine the effect of the usual fertilisation guidelines for pepper cultivation on the nutritional quality of fruits (sugars, vitamin C, total phenolic compounds, chlorophylls, total carotenoids and antioxidant activities in the hydrophilic (HAA) and lipophilic (LAA) fractions). Treatments included manure amendment combined with synthetic fertiliser applied at the rates recommended for organic (T1), low‐input (T2) and conventional (T3) practices. RESULTS: Pepper composition was not affected by increasing mineral fertilisation. In addition, treatment had no significant effect on HAA or LAA. The antioxidant activity of both the hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions increased from the green to the red stage of ripening. HAA contributed about 80% of the total antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: Pepper response to mineral fertilisation seems to be less pronounced than that of other fruits, since antioxidant concentrations did not increase with increasing fertiliser application. Antioxidant activity in pepper was mainly linked to hydrophilic compounds (vitamin C and phenolic compounds). Ripening was the most important factor determining the fruit antioxidant composition. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Brassica oleracea var. costata: comparative study on organic acids and biomass production with other cabbage varieties

BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of agronomic practices, harvesting time and leaf age on the organic acid composition and biomass production of Brassica oleracea L. var. costata DC (tronchuda cabbage). Samples were cultivated under eight different fertilisation regimes (two levels each of nitrogen, boron and sulfur, an organic fertiliser and no fertiliser) and collected at three different times. RESULTS: Principal component analysis of the data indicated significant differences. Three principal components with an eigenvalue higher than one accounted for 79.0% of the total variance of the data set. Samples obtained with conventional fertilisation were characterised by the highest values of fresh weight. External leaves showed higher total organic acid and malic acid contents than internal leaves, while the latter were characterised by higher proportions of citric acid. For consecutive harvests, total organic acid concentration decreased in both external and internal leaves. CONCLUSION: The use of a conventional fertilisation regime (nitrogen, boron or sulfur) improved the growth of B. oleracea var. costata without affecting its organic acid profile. However, for consecutive harvests, total organic acid concentration was observed to decrease independently of the agronomic practices tested. Leaf age influenced the quantitative composition of organic acids. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Vermicompost extracts influence growth,mineral nutrients,phytonutrients and antioxidant activity in pak choi (Brassica rapa cv. Bonsai,Chinensis group) grown under vermicompost and chemical fertiliser

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have been reported on the effect of compost tea on suppression of certain plant diseases. However, relatively little work has been done to investigate the effect of vermicompost tea on yield and nutritional quality of vegetable crops. In this study, experiments were conducted to determine the effect of extraction method on vermicompost tea quality and subsequent effects on growth, mineral nutrients, phytonutrients and antioxidant activity of pak choi plants grown under organic (vermicompost) and synthetic (Osmocote) fertilisation. Three vermicompost teas obtained by different extraction methods, namely non‐aerated vermicompost tea (NCT), aerated vermicompost tea (ACT) and aerated vermicompost tea augmented with microbial enhancer (ACTME), were applied to the plants. Aerated water served as control. RESULTS: Mineral nutrients were significantly higher in ACTME compared with other teas, but total microbial population and activity did not differ with extraction method. All vermicompost teas similarly enhanced plant production, mineral nutrients and total carotenoids, and this effect was most prominent under organic fertilisation. Antioxidant activity and total phenolics were higher under organic compared with synthetic fertilisation. Vermicompost teas generally decreased phenolics under organic fertilisation and increased them under synthetic fertilisation compared with the control. CONCLUSION: The effect of vermicompost tea on crop growth is largely attributable to mineral nutrient, particularly N, uptake by plants. Non‐significant differences among extraction methods on plant response within fertiliser regimes suggest that aeration and additives are not necessary for growth promotion and nutrient quality under the conditions reported here. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Can δ15N in lettuce tissues reveal the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser in organic production?

BACKGROUND: The nitrogen isotopic fingerprint (δ¹⁵N) is reported to be a promising indicator for differentiating between organically and conventionally grown vegetables. However, the effect on plant δ¹⁵N of split nitrogen fertilisation, which could enable farmers to cover up the use of synthetic fertiliser, is not well studied. In this study the use of δ¹⁵N in lettuce as a potential marker for identifying the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser was tested on pot‐grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) treated with synthetic and organic nitrogen fertilisers (single or split application). The effect of combined usage of synthetic and organic fertilisers on δ¹⁵N was also investigated. RESULTS: The δ¹⁵N values of whole plants treated with different fertilisers differed significantly when the fertiliser was applied in a single treatement. However, additional fertilisation (with isotopically the same or different fertiliser) did not cause a significant alteration of plant δ¹⁵N. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study suggest that the δ¹⁵N value of lettuce tissues could be used as a rough marker to reveal the history of nitrogen fertilisation, but only in the case of single fertiliser application. However, if the difference in δ¹⁵N between the applied synthetic and organic nitrogen fertilisers was > 9.1‰, the detection of split and combined usage of the fertilisers would have greater discriminatory power. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Phenolic acid concentrations in organically and conventionally cultivated spring and winter wheat

BACKGROUND: Organic crops are often thought to contain more phenolic secondary metabolites than conventional ones. This study evaluated the influence of organic and conventional farming on concentrations of phenolic acids in spring and winter wheat cultivars. RESULTS: Five phenolic acids were identified: ferulic, sinapic, p‐coumaric, vanillic and p‐hydroxybenzoic acid. Ferulic acid was the main phenolic acid in the grain of all tested wheat varieties. Significant differences among the examined cultivars in concentration of particular compounds were observed. Concentrations of phenolic acids varied significantly in organic and conventional wheat. Levels of ferulic and p‐coumaric acids, as well as the total phenolic acid content were higher in organic crops. Concentrations of sinapic acid in spring wheat, as well as vanillic and p‐hydroxybenzoic acid levels in both types of wheat were significantly higher in conventional grains. The 1000 kernel weight (TKW) of spring and winter wheat was significantly lower in organic crops. CONCLUSION: Organically produced spring and winter wheat had significantly higher concentrations of ferulic and p‐coumaric acid as well as the total phenolic acid content than conventional wheat, though the differences in the levels of phenolics were not large. However, these differences are probably caused mainly by smaller size of organic wheat kernels (lower TKW). Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Differential effect of organic cultivation on the levels of phenolics,peroxidase and capsidiol in sweet peppers

BACKGROUND: Coincident with the changes in agricultural practices from conventional to organic, changes in the nutrient composition of fresh fruits and vegetables have been identified. The levels of peroxidase, total phenolics content, and capsidiol activity in organic as compared with conventional sweet pepper fruit were examined in this study. In order to avoid interferences of environmental factors on the studied parameters, the sweet peppers were grown (organically and conventionally) in a greenhouse under the same soil and climate conditions. RESULTS: Peroxidase was partially purified using the Triton X‐114 method and both organic and conventional peppers had the same isoenzymatic form. However, peroxidase activity in organic sweet peppers was higher than in conventional ones, in both maturity stages studied. The level of total phenolics compunds was also higher in organic than in conventional sweet peppers. With respect to the capsidiol activity, expressed as inhibition of fungus growth, it was not affected by the cultivation method at the green mature stage. However, at the red mature stage, organic sweet peppers showed higher capsidiol activity than those grown under the conventional system. CONCLUSION: Sweet peppers grown under organic culture have a maturity‐related response, with high levels of phenolic compounds, and peroxidase and capsidiol activity that contribute to disease resistance in organic farming. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

The cation exchange properties and microbial carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus in savanna Alfisol under continuous cultivation

The study reports on the impact of inorganic fertilisers with or without farmyard manure on the cation exchange capacity (CEC), cationic balance and microbial biomass carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in a savanna Alfisol after 45 years of cultivation. Soils for the study were fertilised with N or N+P+K, cow dung (D), D+N and D+N+P+K for 45 years. Inorganic fertiliser significantly reduced CEC, exchangeable cations and upset the cationic balance. The reduction in CEC and exchangeable cations seemed to operate via organic matter depletion and pH reduction. Similarly inorganic fertiliser stressed microbial activity evidenced by the low amounts of microbial biomass C, N and P compared to the soil under native vegetation and the soils fertilised with D+N and D+N+P+K. From the perspective of the flows of C, N and P through soil microbial biomass, and cation exchange properties and prevention of nutritional imbalances involving basic cations, a rational fertilisation program for savanna Alfisols is one that combines inorganic fertilisers with farmyard manures. ©1997 SCI     

Yield,nitrate levels and sensory properties of spinach as influenced by organic and mineral nitrogen fertiliser levels

Spinach was fertilised at two levels of nitrogen, 140 kg/ha (x) and 420 kg/ha (3x), using split applications of ammonium sulphate and dried blood as nitrogen sources. A single application of ammonium sulphate (x) 19 days prior to harvest was also tested. A no-nitrogen control was also employed. The x rate of mineral nitrogen produced statistically the same yield as the 3x organic source but at a lower tissue nitrate level. The 3x mineral fertiliser produced both the highest yield and nitrate concentration. Excluding late fertiliser application, nitrate levels were closely related to yield and dependent upon rate of nitrogen availability from each of the two sources. Late application of mineral nitrogen did not increase yield over a no-nitrogen application control, but resulted in an eight-fold increase in tissue nitrate. Triangle taste panels demonstrated significant differences in raw, cooked, and frozen samples when comparing the no-nitrogen application against both the 3x organic and mineral nitrogen applications and the late mineral application. No significant sensory differences resulted between organic and mineral fertilisers at either application level. Colour measurements revealed that higher nitrogen application darkened colour. Organic sources gave darker colours than corresponding mineral fertiliser levels. Late application of mineral nitrogen resulted in the darkest colour. Gas–liquid chromatography headspace scans demonstrated that increasing nitrogen rates from x to 3x approximately doubled total peak area. No qualitative differences were noted. Late application of mineral fertiliser resulted in a headspace scan similar to those obtained at the 3x nitrogen rates.     

Effect of antioxidant principles isolated from mango (Mangifera indica L) seed kernels on oxidative stability of buffalo ghee (butter‐fat)

A method was developed to extract and isolate the antioxidant principles, ie mainly phenolic and phospholipid classes, from mango (Mangifera indica L) seed kernels using organic solvents. The presence of at least six phenolic compounds and eight phospholipids in the isolates was confirmed by chromatographic techniques. A phenolic preparation and a phospholipid preparation were prepared separately by dissolving the isolated compounds from mango seed kernels in buffalo ghee. The phenolic preparation contained 9.6 mg% water‐extractable phenolics, 69.5 mg% total phenolics and 6.39 mg% phospholipids. The phospholipid preparation contained 155.8 mg% phospholipids, 0.11 mg% water‐extractable phenolics and 0.19 mg% total phenolics. The addition of these preparations to buffalo ghee at 5, 10 and 20% levels individually and in combination significantly increased the levels of phenolics and phospholipids respectively. Samples of buffalo ghee with added BHA contained levels of these compounds similar to that of a control sample without any other additives. The antioxidant indices calculated from the induction period of ghee samples stored at 80 ± 2 °C. in comparison with the control were, in order, 10.11 (20% phospholipid and phenolic preparation) > 8.88 (10% phospholipid and phenolic preparation) > 8.66 (20% phenolic preparation) > 6.44 (5% phospholipid and phenolic preparation) > 5.44 (10% phenolic preparation) > 4.88 (20% phospholipid preparation) > 3.00 (5% phenolic preparation) > 2.77 (10% phospholipid preparation) > 2.22 (5% phospholipid preparation) > 1.44 (0.02% BHA). This demonstrated that the phenolics and phospholipids isolated from mango seed kernel, when added jointly to buffalo ghee, helped in extending the shelf‐life of ghee. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Content of flavonols and selected phenolic acids in strawberries and Vaccinium species: influence of cultivar,cultivation site and technique

The amounts of flavonols (quercetin, myricetin and kaempferol) and phenolic acids (ellagic, p-coumaric, caffeic and ferulic acids) were analysed in six strawberry cultivars and in the berries of genus Vaccinium (four blueberry cultivars, wild bilberry, wild bog whortleberry). Differences between strawberries from organic vs. conventional cultivation were investigated and the influence of geographical origin on phenolic compounds of strawberries and blueberries was studied. Three different extraction and hydrolysis procedures together with two HPLC methods with diode-array UV/vis detection were used. The varietal differences in the total content of the phenolics analysed were larger among the cultivated blueberries (from 4.4 to 9.2 mg/100 g, fresh weight) than among the strawberry cultivars (from 42.1 to 54.4 mg/100 g). Some regional differences were observed in the phenolic contents in blueberries and strawberries. Compared to conventional cultivation techniques, organic cultivation had no consistent effect on the levels of phenolic compounds in strawberries.     

Characterisation of antioxidant compounds in sweet bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under organic and conventional growing systems

BACKGROUND: Sweet red bell pepper is one of the best sources of ascorbic acid and carotenoids as well as phenolic compounds important in the human diet. There have been some studies showing a higher level of bioactive compounds in organic bell pepper fruits compared with conventional fruits, but not all studies have been consistent in this respect. The levels of carotenoids and phenolics are very variable and may be affected by ripeness, genotype and cultivation. RESULTS: The results obtained in this study showed that an organic growing system affected the level of bioactive compounds (carotenoids and polyphenols) in sweet bell pepper fruits cultivated in Poland. Organic bell pepper fruits contained significantly more dry matter, vitamin C, total carotenoids, β‐carotene, α‐carotene, cis‐β‐carotene, total phenolic acids (as well as individual gallic and chlorogenic acids) and flavonoids (quercetin D ‐glucoside, quercetin and kaempferol) compared with conventional fruits. The bell pepper variety also affected the level of antioxidant compounds in fruits. CONCLUSION: Organic growing increased the level of antioxidant compounds such as carotenoids, phenolic compounds and vitamin C in sweet bell pepper. The second significant factor affecting the antioxidant compound content of sweet bell pepper was variety. It would be necessary to continue this study as a long‐term experiment in order to eliminate the influence of seasonality. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Glucosinolate content and amino acid composition of rapeseed (Brassica napus) meal as affected by sulphur and nitrogen nutrition

Rapeseed plants have been grown in soil-free culture with varying amounts of nitrogen fertiliser applied as nitrate, and with 50% of the nitrate-N exchanged for ammonium. The experiment was performed at two levels of sulphate fertiliser. Yield, protein content, glucosinolate content and amino acid composition were studied. The glucosinolate content was lower and the protein content was higher at a high level of nitrogen fertiliser. Exchange of 50% of the nitrate-N for ammonium caused no significant change in glucosinolate or protein content. The amount of glucosinolate was higher at the high sulphate level. There were no sulphur-nitrogen interactions. Content of total aspartic acid increased with nitrogen fertilisation, while total content of other amino acids did not change significantly with fertilisation. The effect of a wide variety of applications of sulphate fertiliser on glucosinolate and total amino acid content have been studied in a separate experiment. Although both protein content and methionine content were reduced at a low sulphate level, glucosinolate content was reduced considerably more. Experiments in the field revealed that although a reduction in glucosinolate content of rapeseed may be obtained from using fertilisers low in sulphur on sandy soils this does not seem possible on heavy soils.     

The effects of soil compaction,form of nitrogen fertiliser,and fertiliser placement on the availability of manganese to barley

A study was made of the effects of seedbed compaction and use of fertiliser (application rate, placement, and the choice of ammonium or nitrate forms of nitrogen) on the availability of manganese to barley in light soils in East Scotland. Generally, the uptake of manganese by the plants was increased by increasing the amount of fertiliser applied and by compaction of the seedbed, although no significant increase in extractable soil manganese was detected. The increase in uptake from wheel-tracks (where the compression had resulted in an element of fertiliser placement), compared with nonwheeled areas, was much greater than the effect due to overall plot compaction by tractor wheels in the absence of a fertiliser placement effect. Combine-drilling of fertiliser with the seed resulted in large increases in plant uptake of manganese in non-wheeled areas, compared with uptake where the fertiliser had been broadcast, but had no significant effect in the wheel-tracks where growth and uptake were generally better. In some, but not all, experiments, significant reductions in pH occurred in the soil beneath the wheel-tracks which were very closely correlated with increases in extractable manganese. Use of ammonium sulphate as nitrogen source also reduced the pH, compared with calcium nitrate, and this, too, increased extractable manganese and greatly improved plant growth. The probable cause of enhanced manganese availability was soil acidification brought about by nitrification of ammonium fertiliser and/or by H⁺ ion secretion by roots to balance the uptake of ammonium and other cations. The uptake of manganese by the plant was further improved either through concentration of fertiliser in the root zone by placement, or by soil compaction which resulted in shallow sowing of seed and a closer active relationship between roots and broadcast fertiliser. Other possible factors involved were (a) a greater exudation by roots of compounds able to dissolve insoluble manganese, in compacted soil; (b) contact reduction processes; (c) stimulation of root growth, leading to more efficient uptake by the plant, where higher rates of fertiliser were used or where the fertiliser was concentrated in localised zones in the soil.     

Effects of organic fertilisers and irrigation level on physical and chemical quality of industrial tomato fruit (cv. Nautilus)

BACKGROUND: The objective of this work was to study the influence of irrigation and organic fertilisation on quality attributes of tomato fruit (cv. Nautilus) grown for the canning industry. The assay was carried out during two consecutive years (2006 and 2007) in agricultural soil. Nine treatments resulting from the combination of three fertilisation types (sheep manure, a mixture of sheep manure and peat and an inorganic fertiliser (control)) with three levels of drip irrigation (3.30, 5.00 and 6.70 mm day^?1) under black polyethylene mulch were applied (n = 3). RESULTS: For the chromatic attributes L*, H*, C* and S* the highest values corresponded to the treatments with organic matter. However, the a*/b* ratio and colour index value were higher for the control treatment. In all cases the estimated optimal ripening time was the same, and on this date a decline in the ratios was observed. The values of the physical properties increased with increasing irrigation, higher values always being obtained in the treatments with organic fertilisers. The highest production for all irrigation levels corresponded to the treatment with mixed sheep manure and peat fertiliser. CONCLUSION: Cultivation involving fertilisation with the manure/peat mixture and an irrigation level slightly above 5.00 mm day^?1 can be recommended as optimal, since it gave the most satisfactory values with respect to the quality attributes of tomato fruit grown for the canning industry. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

On fumonisin incidence in monoculture maize under no‐till,conventional tillage and two nitrogen fertilisation levels

BACKGROUND: Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin contamination are serious problems for maize growers. The lack of maize genotypes highly resistant to fumonisin contamination emphasises the need for management strategies to prevent contamination by this mycotoxin. There are conflicting reports regarding no‐till and nitrogen (N) fertilisation practices in relation to the incidence of fumonisins. In this study the effect of no‐till compared with conventional tillage and of N fertilisation rates on fumonisin occurrence was investigated over three years in Northern Italy. RESULTS: The average contamination of grain by fumonisins B₁ and B₂ over the three years was significantly different, with a lower value in 2000 (516 µg kg^?1) than in the other years (5846 and 3269 µg kg^?1 in 2001 and 2002 respectively). Conventional tillage and no‐till treatments had no significant effect on the incidence of fumonisins. This finding suggests that above‐ground residues infected by Fusarium would not lead to an increase in fumonisin incidence. However, N fertilisation significantly increased fumonisin levels, by 99 and 70% in 2000 and 2001 respectively. CONCLUSION: Maize monoculture does not show a cumulative effect on the occurrence of fumonisins, while high rates of N fertiliser consistently result in elevated fumonisin levels. Both these effects can be influenced by annual meteorological fluctuations. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry