Impact of Agronomic Practices on Phytochemicals and Quality of Vegetable Crops
Academic Article
Overview
Research
Identity
Additional Document Info
Other
View All
Overview
abstract
Vegetables synthesize and accumulate phytochemicals that are often involved in signaling and stress protection. The synthesis and degradation of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and antioxidants is regulated by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Agronomic strategies may significantly modify and/or improve phytochemical concentrations and profiles in vegetable crops. For example, high nitrogen fertilization has been shown to decrease ascorbic acid, and either decrease or increase carotenoids. Precision deficit irrigation and moderate to high salinity stress may enhance carotenoid levels, such as lycopene in watermelon and tomato, but at the risk of lowered productivity. The complex and interactive effects of the environment and agronomic practices on plant phytochemicals may be direct or indirect, cultivar and crop specific, and short-lived or sustained. This paper highlights agronomic crop strategies, with emphasis on nitrogen, irrigation and salinity, impacting health-promoting compounds and quality in vegetable species.
