Nitrate concentrations in some vegetables and soils in Hamadan, western Iran

Author: Jalali, Mohsen

Source: Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, Volume 54, Number 5, October 2008 , pp. 569-583(15)

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Abstract:

Excessive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers contributes to the accumulation of nitrate ([image omitted] ) in soil and vegetable crops. Vegetables contribute considerably to human [image omitted] intake in Iran. This study was carried out to determine [image omitted] in vegetable crops and soils. Samples of different vegetables (edible portions) were taken from eight fields during spring, summer and autumn. Also samples of two soil depths (0-30 and 30-60 cm) were collected at sites corresponding to the vegetable field locations. The results showed a high variation of the [image omitted] content in various vegetables. Nitrate levels within the same vegetable, but in different fields also varied greatly. Different [image omitted] levels were found in different vegetables analyzed in different seasons. In general, higher [image omitted] levels were found in vegetables growing in spring and autumn. Spinach, radish and cress accumulated much higher [image omitted] levels than that of other studied vegetables. Nitrate concentration in soils also varied in different seasons. The results showed that continuous vegetable cropping caused accumulation of [image omitted] in soil, with a nitrogen (N) accumulation of 81 mg [image omitted] -N kg-1, on average. The soils were sandy loams and there is the possibility of excessive [image omitted] leaching from these vegetables fields. This has caused concern because of possible groundwater pollution. Poor fertilizer, irrigation, and soil management resulted in low fertilizer-use-efficiency and substantial losses of the applied N fertilizer to the groundwater.

Keywords: vegetables; nitrate; fertilizer; groundwater

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03650340802225836

Affiliations: 1: College of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Islamic Republic of Iran

Publication date: 2008-10-01

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