Noxious or nutritious? Progress in controlling nitrate as a contaminant in leafy crop species

Food and Energy Security

Richard M. Weightman¹ 

[1] ADAS UK Ltd, Centre for Sustainable Crop Management, Boxworth, Cambridgeshire, U.K

关键词: Health;    lettuce;    nitrate;    rocket;    salads;    spinach;   

DOI  :  10.1002/fes3.28

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

High levels of nitrate in forage are a danger to the health of ruminant livestock consuming leafy crop species. Nitrate is also classed by food safety authorities as a contaminant in fresh produce. Since limits on nitrate levels in fresh produce marketed within the European Union were set, research has aimed to reduce nitrate, and to limit its variation. Progress is reported which focuses on the agronomy of a range of leafy salad crop species including lettuce (Lactuca sativa), spinach (Spinacea oleracea) and wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia). Genetic studies aiming to understand the sources of genetic variation in nitrate accumulation in lettuce are reviewed and considered in the context of research aiming to improve the nitrogen use efficiency of crop plants. Recent evidence is reported which suggests that nitrate could have significant health benefits that may contribute to the positive effects of eating a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables. Therefore, with the exception of babies and very young children, the risks from excess nitrate consumption are much greater for farm animals than they are for humans. Nevertheless, producers still need to carefully control nitrogen supply to leafy salad crops, to ensure that the risks of diffuse pollution from overuse of nitrogen fertilizer are minimized.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 The Authors. Food and Energy Security published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. and the Association of Applied Biologists.

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