Nutritional and Economic Benefits of Enhanced Vegetable Production and Consumption

SUMMARY

Vegetables are a major source of dietary micronutrients, but abiotic and biotic constraints limit vegetable production and consumption in Asia. Per capita vegetable consumption in Asia is far below the required level to satisfy the recommended dietary micronutrient intakes. Empirical evidence and discussion in this article show that enhanced vegetable production and consumption in Asia can play a catalytic role in the overall economic development by improving the nutritional status, learning capabilities and managerial capacities of farmers, generating incomes and jobs in both the farm and non-farm sectors, and improving resource use efficiency in agriculture. Rapid urbanization, higher incomes, and greater awareness amongst consumers and producers to diversify their food and production systems have increased the demand for vegetables in Asia. To realize this potential demand, especially during the off-season of vegetable production, trade-oriented and production enhancement strategies are suggested in this article. The trade-oriented policies can help link the favorable vegetable producing areas with consumption centers, and production oriented policies can overcome the biotic and abiotic constraints of vegetable production by developing economically viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally friendly technologies. Both the strategies require government support and increased allocation of research funds and manpower for vegetable cultivation. Government policies to stabilize vegetable production and trade, can mitigate the risk inherit in vegetable production.     

索引

对深圳市寰通农产品有限公司的4个菜场170多户菜农及其蔬菜生产情况进行系列调查,分析影响蔬菜产品质量的因素,提出加强培训、减少菜农流动性和蔬菜品牌建设等无公害蔬菜发展策略。     

Yield maximisation versus biological value. Problems in plant breeding and standardization

Two statements are our starting point: 1. Food plants, in particular fruit and vegetables contain specific health promoting of diseases of civilisation. 2. The quest for yield maximisation of food plants may lead to questionable results. A consequence of high rate of inorganic fertiliser in particular nitrogen application designed to increase crop yield is high of application of pesticides, herbicides and growth regulators. This in turn may severely affect important plant compounds responsable for the biological value of food plants and may favour at the same time pesticide residues. Little known is the fact that an increase in yield, genetically induced, may lead to similar appropriate consequences. Fruit and Vegetable cultivars are bred partially for maximum yield, easier manuell or mechanical harvesting, for more suitable transport or storage or for various desirable marketing properties. This may inadvertently suffer sometimes appreciable reduction in variety characteristic flavour, in valuable compound and in food components of importance to our health. Experimental evidence from the past and present is provided. Market grades-in particular the E.E.C. Standards are directed towards arbitrary requirements, by no means relevant to the consumer, such as weight, size and attractive appearance. The criteria of a system of market grades mean lack of choice for the producer, pressure to maximise yield through maximum use of chemicals in production with the results detrimental for the ‘inner quality’ of the produce as described above. Practical suggestions are submitted for athorough revision of the present system of marketing grades required by the consumer in the direction of nutritional and hygienic upgrading through the deliberate production of fruit and vegetable cultivars of marketing possibilities, trophic value and optimum disease resistance. In face of the world wide energy crisis — particularly applicable to glasshouse cultivation with its high fuel requirements — the energy should be used for the production of food plants of the highest nutritional and hygienic quality.     

Phenolic antioxidant-linked anti-hyperglycemic properties of rye cultivars grown under conventional and organic production systems

Rye (Secale cereale L.), is a temperate cereal food crop with diverse human health benefits partly linked to phenolic bioactives. Therefore targeting rye cultivars rich in phenolic bioactives and associated antioxidant properties has relevance to develop dietary support against chronic diseases, such as hyperglycemia linked to progression of type 2 diabetes. In this study we screened 9 rye cultivars and compared the impact of two different production practices (conventional and organic) on phenolic bioactive associated antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties using in vitro assay models. Total soluble phenolic content (TSP), phenolic acids profile, protein content, antioxidant activity (AA), and hyperglycemia relevant α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activities of aqueous extracts of rye cultivars were evaluated using in vitro models. Overall, rye grown under organic production had higher yield, 1000 kernel weight, α-amylase inhibitory activity, and ferulic and benzoic acid content. On the contrary rye grown under conventional production had higher TSP content, AA, and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activity. Further significant differences in phenolic antioxidant-linked anti-hyperglycemic properties among 9 rye cultivars were observed. This study indicated that differences in cultivars and production practices had significant impact on human health relevant phenolic antioxidant and associated anti-hyperglycemic properties of rye cultivars.     

La normalisation des fruits et legumes au point de vue nutritionnel et hygienique

Getting the highest possible yield is of questionable value considering the surplus in many products within the EEC. Of outmost importance, however, are the ‘Common Standards of Quality of the EEC’. They facilitate trade and marketing across the borders and are based on visual characteristics which are easily recognized and were chosen arbitrarily. Two measurable and hence objective criteria are weight and size. However, in most cases there is no relation whatsoever between these criteria and the content in constituents of nutritional value which would justify an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables because of their contribution to a balanced diet and good health. As a rule such desirable substances are noncaloric. Because of the lack of exercise in modern everyday life today's science of nutrition demands that our vegetable foods, which are part of a mixed diet, contain those substances that contribute to our good health. These desirable substances are primarily vitamin C, vitamins of the B-group, as well as provitamin A, the refreshing fruit acids, an balanced ratio between sugars and acids; also essential oils which account for taste, regulate the metabolism, and have certain antibiotic qualities; furthermore minerals, particularly potassium, iron and magnesium. Do the commercial grades fulfill these expectations, i.e. do they primarily provide varieties worthy of production containing desirables substances? Even if the ‘creators’ of these grades did not originally think of them it would be advisable to meet these demands made exclusively with the consumer in mind since they would serve to maintain and enhance the good health of the general public. Since nothing has been done so far to implement measures that would increase production of fruit and vegetables of higher nutritional value new suggestions have been made based on extensive analytical research. The Goal: To improve grading of fruit and vegetables taking nutritional value into consideration. Proposed Procedure: Preference of species for the top grades that would combine high nutritional value and yield, and marketability. Of equal importance should be the choice of species which are less susceptible to disease and pests. This in turn should result in a lower application of pesticides per unit-area and consequently reduce the possibility of pesticide residues on the product. In certain cases the same purpose is served by avoiding excessive use of nitrate fertilizers which increase susceptibility to diseases and pests and therefore necessitate larger quantities of pesticides per ha. and hence increase the possibility of pesticide residues. By means of a number of diagrams the value and marketability of various fruit and vegetable species are compared. They are placed into categories according to their content in nutritional constituents. It is the goal of these comparisons to point out the principle and the possibility of a reform of the existing EEC-standards by taking criteria based on nutritional value into consideration and to start a discussion on among experts.     

有机毛豆新品种及配套高产栽培技术研究

毛豆是中国南方以及日本、韩国等地消费者主要食用的豆类作物之一,也是我国南方出口到以上国家的主要蔬菜品种之一.随着出口市场的扩大,新品种的高产栽培技术尤其是有机栽培技术相对缺乏,为给广大豆农和加工企业提供一套切实可行的生产技术,本文作者总结了一套适合中国南方的有机毛豆高产栽培技术,为农业增产、农民增收服务.     

丘陵地区马铃薯—有机稻—叶菜低碳高效栽培技术

马铃薯—有机稻—叶菜低碳高效栽培技术是一种将马铃薯、水稻、叶菜三类作物周年轮作的新型种植模式。2月份将马铃薯种摆放在水稻田里,覆盖稻草生产马铃薯,5月份收获马铃薯。马铃薯收获后种植早中稻,10¹1月份收获水稻,保留稻草用于次年春季马铃薯种植。水稻收获后在水稻田内种植菠菜、芫荽、茼蒿等叶菜类蔬菜,叶菜在春节前后采收完毕。该方法将水旱轮作有机结合起来,既有利于稻草还田,增加土壤有机质,改善土壤生态环境,又有利于提高土地利用率,提高土地产出,为农业增效和农民增收提供一种有效途径。     

提高海南冬种瓜菜质量安全水平的对策和建议

分析影响海南冬种瓜菜质量安全的原因：高温高湿的气候引起病虫发生严重和使用农药不科学是引发冬种瓜菜质量安全问题的主要原因。生产和流通环节的组织化程度较低,全程质量安全控制难以实施;科研基础比较薄弱;质量安全监管体系不完善等因素也是造成冬种瓜菜质量安全隐患较多的重要原因。提出提高海南冬种瓜菜质量安全水平的对策和建议：进一步加大宣传力度,提高全社会的质量安全意识;发挥专业合作社和龙头企业的带动作用;加强认证管理和品牌建设;加强监管体系建设;加强农资市场的监管;加强冬种瓜菜的科研和推广工作。     

可可活性成分的研究概况

概述可可中的多酚类化合物、脂类化合物、蛋白质及膳食纤维等的活性成分，及其分析方法与生理功能的研究现状。     

Chemical and Functional Characterization of Kañiwa (C<Emphasis Type="Italic">henopodium pallidicaule</Emphasis>) Grain,Extrudate and Bran

Cereals provide a good source of dietary fibre and other important compounds with nutritional potential, such as phenolic compounds, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Although native Andean cereals are known to have high nutritional value, their minor components have not been studied thoroughly. In this study, two varieties of a native Andean crop, kañiwa (Chenopodium pallidicaule), were investigated as sources of dietary fibre and specific antioxidant compounds. Two products, an extrudate and bran, were also prepared and their functional properties and bioactive compounds were determined. Both varieties were rich in total dietary fibre and lignin, and the phenolic components analyzed had high antioxidant activity. The extrudates had good functional properties, such as degree of gelatinization, sectional expansion index and water solubility index; the bran was high in bioactive compounds, such as total phenolics. In conclusion, kañiwa may offer an alternative to traditional cereals as a health-promoting food ingredient.     

冬闲地套种蔬菜及蔬菜废弃物还田对苎麻的影响

对榨菜、莴苣和豌豆与苎麻套种后,不同套种模式及蔬菜废弃物还田对苎麻的主要农艺性状、纤维产量和品质的影响进行了研究。结果表明,套种蔬菜可以显著提高苎麻的纤维产量,但蔬菜废弃物还田对苎麻生长有影响,对苎麻的农艺性状和产量有降低作用。不同蔬菜套种对苎麻影响不同,产量表现为苎麻/豌豆〉苎麻/莴苣〉苎麻/榨菜。套种对不同季别的苎麻影响也不同,对头麻影响最大,二麻次之,三麻影响最小。套种和蔬菜废弃物还田对苎麻纤维断裂强力和纤维支数的影响较小。     

营养功能性面条研究现状

近年来国内外已研发出多种营养功能性面条。本文对近年来研制的营养功能性面条进行了归纳总结,分别对果蔬类、杂粮类、水产类、其他类等4大类营养功能性面条的开发应用和研究进行了评述,并分析了营养功能性面条在应用中存在的问题,提出了相关建议,以期对营养功能性面条的进一步开发和规模化生产提供参考。     

Pest management challenges for smallholder vegetable farmers in Zimbabwe

Smallholder vegetable production is expanding rapidly in Zimbabwe both for local sale in urban markets and for export. Pest management practices of 12 small-scale vegetable farmers in two areas of Zimbabwe were surveyed over a five-month period to gather information on crops, pests, diseases and crop protection methods. A range of serious pests and diseases affects non-indigenous vegetables such as Brassicas, tomatoes, onions and cucurbits. Although farmers use some cultural control methods and occasionally botanical pesticides, pest control is predominantly by the use of conventional synthetic pesticides. These are usually applied through lever operated knapsack sprayers although some less orthodox application methods are occasionally used. Results are variable and there are concerns about risks to sprayer operators, consumers and the environment (including natural enemies) due to shortcomings in protective clothing, large deviations from recommended doses and excessive run-off to the soil. Field trials were carried out to evaluate a modified sprayer lance which directs the spray upwards rather than downwards in an attempt to place more of the spray under the leaves where most of the arthropod pests are found. The ‘V lance’ as it is called improved the uniformity of spray coverage on the upper and lower leaf surfaces and is expected to improve efficacy of spraying and/or offer the opportunity to reduce doses or spray frequencies. Farmers who tested the device reported good results and gave constructive feedback for future improvements. The smallholder vegetable sector requires support in the form of improved access to existing pest management information (in an appropriate form) and focused research targeted at the knowledge gaps which currently impede implementation of sustainable IPM.     

Annual Nutrient Balance and Soil Chemical Properties in Heavy Multiple Cropping System in the Coastal Area of Southeast Lake Dianchi,Yunnan Province,China

Abstract

To ensure higher yields, farmers in China have increased cropping intensity with a large input of chemical fertilizer and livestock manure since 1980s, which has led to unsustainable agricultural productivity and environmental quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of intensive cropping on nutrient absorption and biomass production of crops and to determine the controllable source of residual nutrients in soil in the coastal area of Lake Dianchi, China. Soil and crops were sampled in 32 vegetable fields and four paddy fields; and simultaneously surveyed. In vegetable fields, cropping intensity and input to each crop were extremely high; and, 58, 72, and 20% of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were not absorbed by the crop. Nitrogen absorption ratios of the vegetables were low. The amount of nitrogen absorbed from sources other than chemical fertilizer by vegetables, namely, from soil, manure, or irrigation water, in the fields with three to nine years cultivation duration was higher than those with zero to two years cultivation duration. Reduction of input should be more efficient than enhancing output to decrease soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; and, reducing input of chemical fertilizer should be more efficient than reducing input of manure. These results should be helpful for reducing agricultural pollution in China.     

Comments on the importance of green vegetables

Green, especially leafy, vegetables are widely underesteemed because few horiticultural research institutes publish figures demonstrating that they can give unusually large annual yields of edible dry matter, including protein and carotene (provitamin A). It is also not realised that they supply many communities with as much protein as is supplied by fish, and that more communities used to eat them on that scale. Before leafy vegetables gain proper nutritional attention it will be necessary to convince consumers that they are not merely sources of vitamin C and minerals, or decorative adjuncts to a meal. It will also be necessary to persuade those who compile dietary and production statistics to separate leafy vegetables from other horticultural products which, although they may yield more profit per hectare, are of much less nutritive value.     

中国农作物生产及其贸易现状分析

运用中国2007~2017年FAO编码的农作物产量数据以及对应HS编码的农作物贸易数据,基于净进口依存度分析了谷类、豆类、薯类、纤维、油料、果类、蔬菜、其他等8类农作物的生产、贸易状况以及进出口安全状态,以期为我国从宏观上把握农作物的进出口及其生产安全提供参考。结果表明:(1)除了纤维、油料,其余农作物的产量均保持增长,其中粮食和果蔬的产量平均占整个农作物产量的87.47%;(2)大多年份,蔬菜和水果的进口量小于出口量,而其余农作物则相反;(3)纤维、油料类农作物的净进口依存度较大,处于危机状态,其余农作物的净进口依存度较小,处于安全状态。显然,我国在保持粮食类、果蔬类等大多数农作物产量增长的同时,需要关注油料类和纤维类作物的生产,至少应该保证一定的国内产量,在一定程度上避免过高的进口依赖。     

Experimentelle Ergebnisse über die Änderung des Gehalts an wertgebenden Inhaltsstoffen bei Zubereitung und Verarbeitung von Gemüse. Mitt. II: Verschiedene Inhaltsstoffe

A comparison of laboratory experiments on the effect preparation of various vegetables on a household scale has on the nutritional elements in fresh and preserved vegetables is given. Comparing the following methods of preparation: fresh vegetables in regular pots or in a pressure cooker on a household scale; blanching vegetables with water or steam; adding tap water and filtered blanching water to water and steam blanched vegetables in canning; and freezing water and steam blanched vegetables. The changes in contents of nutritional elements caused by the various techniques of preparation and preservation lead to the following conclusions:

1. The smallest loss of nutritional elements occurs when fresh vegetables are prepared on a household scale, provided the vegetables are really fresh and a minimum amount of water is used for cooking.
2. Blanching vegetables with steam for preservation has a more favourable effect on the content of nutritional elements than blanching with water.
3. A higher nutritional value is retained in canned goods if filtered blanching water is used as canning liquid rather than fresh tap water.
4. The liquid in canned goods contains a large quantity of nutritional elements, therefore, it should be used not wasted.

     

海南15种野生蔬菜膳食纤维含量的测定

以国家标准GB 5009.88-2014《食品中膳食纤维的测定》为基础,研究了4种蛋白酶、2种酶解辅助处理方法对膳食纤维测定值的影响。以调整后的方法测定了15种野生蔬菜总的、可溶性及不溶性膳食纤维的含量,分析了不同产地和采摘时期野生蔬菜总膳食纤维含量的差异。结果表明:木瓜蛋白酶处理后的树仔菜总膳食纤维测定值最高;超声波振荡辅助酶解处理的除杂效果较好;15种野生蔬菜膳食纤维含量和组成差异较大,产地对树仔菜、马齿苋总膳食纤维含量的影响分别为极显著、显著,但是对枸杞菜和雷公菜总膳食纤维含量的影响不显著;采摘时期对树仔菜、马齿苋、枸杞菜和雷公菜总膳食纤维含量均有极显著影响。     

Atriplex hortensis L. as a leafy vegetable,and as a leaf protein concentrate plant

The quality ofAtriplex hortensis L. (Mountain Spinach) as a leafy vegetable, forage crop, and plant for production of leaf protein/nutrient concentrate was investigated. The plant can substitute or supplementSpinacia oleracea L. as a leafy vegetable, due to similar chemical composition and a higher leaf yield. The whole plant, as a meal, is similar toMedicago sativa L. in chemical composition. It could be suitable for cultivation in dry areas. By wet-fractionation of the plant a leaf protein concentrate can be obtained. The concentrate is well composed, and should lack anti-nutritive substances present in the whole plant.     

Can winter cover crops influence weed density and diversity in a reduced tillage vegetable system?

Weeds are a major constraint for organic crop production. Previous research has found that cover crops in reduced tillage systems can provide weed interference, subsequently reducing inputs and improving crop yield. However, questions remain about effects of cover crop species identity and cover crop biomass on weed suppression and crop yield. This four-year study investigated how winter cover crops grown alone or in mixture influenced weed presence and crop yield in a reduced tillage organic vegetable system. Treatments were barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), mixed barley + crimson clover, and a no-cover crop control. Plots were flail-mowed and strip-tilled prior to planting main crops (2011 and 2012: broccoli Brassica oleracea L.; 2013 and 2014: crookneck squash Cucurbita pepo L.). We measured density, diversity, and community composition of weeds and viable weed seeds, changes in weed percent cover within growing seasons, and crop yield. We found that the presence of barley, crimson clover, or barley + crimson clover reduced weed density by 50% relative to the control. Cover crop biomass negatively influenced weed density and weed seed diversity, and positively influenced squash yield. Weed percent cover within growing seasons did not respond differentially to cover crop treatment. Cover crop treatment and cover crop biomass had no influence on weed or weed seed community composition. These results suggest that reduced tillage winter cover crops in mixture or monoculture can similarly suppress weeds and improve yield, primarily due to biomass effects.