Back S. B. Hornick
Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
Full Paper (PDF File: 188KB)
Abstract
The nutritional quality of field and horticultural crops may be influenced by many factors such as inherent soil composition, climate, the crop and its cultivar, cultural and management practices, and postharvest handling and storage. Contradictory results obtained from research on conventional versus organic farming methods regarding crop yields, mineral and vitamin contents are reviewed. Because of the current concerns about food safety and quality and their potential impact on human and animal health, other issues, such as maturity at harvest, postharvest handling and storage, anti-nutritive components as well as chemical residues, are discussed. Some research needs that may ensure the production of safe and nutritious food are also identified.