Organic vs conventional agriculture: evaluation of cadmium in two of the most consumed vegetables in Brazil

Quality and Nutritional Parameters of Food in Agri-Food Production Systems

Organic farming is a production system that avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic agricultural inputs such as pesticides, growth regulators, highly soluble mineral fertilisers, supplements, preservatives, flavouring, aromatic substances and genetically modified organisms, and their products. This system aims to maintain and increase soil fertility and quality, and relies on systems such as crop rotation, polyculture, intercropping, ecosystem management, covering crops, legumes, organic and bio-fertilisers, mechanical cultivation and biological control methods. The present review summarises and evaluates research comparing the quality of traditionally, organically and conventionally produced foods. In some cases, although the results of the studies contradict each other, organically grown in vegetables, especially berries and fruits are slightly higher dry matter, minerals such as P, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn, vitamin C, sugars, carotenoids, antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid compounds. In addition, their sensory properties are more pleasant. The nutritional content, quality and safety of organic foods are acceptable if the recent trends are reviewed, tested and verified. Therefore, the aim of this review is to compile, describe and update scientific evidence and data on the quality, safety, bioactive compounds and nutritional and phytochemical quality of foods in traditional and organic fruit, vegetable and cereal production systems.

Yield and quality of Dega white lupine grain (Lupinus Albus) and yubileynaya 80 spring wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) depending on the application method of sodium selenite

Abstract In 2017-2019, we conducted the field and vegetation experiments at the field station of Russian State Agrarian University, Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy to study the effect of sodium selenite on the yield and grain quality indicators of white lupine, Dega variety, and spring wheat, Yubileynaya-80 variety. The best way found to use selenium is to spray vegetative plants with 0.01% aqueous sodium selenite solution. The studies have shown an increase in grain yield by 15-17%, crude protein content by 9-15% and crude fat content by 5-7% when treated with sodium selenite. The obtained grain yield of white lupine has a higher feed and nutritional value and is suitable for feeding animals and preparing various types of feed and feed additives. The optimal way to use selenium is spraying vegetative plants before shooting. Treatment with sodium selenite contributes to an increase in wheat yield by 1.5 times. We have established the positive effect of sodium selenite on the quality indicators of wheat grain. An increase in the content of raw gluten and glassiness of grain has been noted, which determines high bread-making qualities.