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The influence of crop rotation on the mineral nutrient content
of organic vs. conventionally produced wheat grain: Preliminary results
from a long-term field study
M.-S Turmel1, M.H. Entz2*, K. Bamford2, and J.R. Thiessen Martens2,3
Abstract
The effects of farming system (organic vs. conventional)
and crop rotation (annual grain vs. grain-forage) on the mineral nutrient
content of wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain was tested in a long-term
field study in Manitoba.
Crop rotation affected phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) concentrations, while system affected nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) concentrations. Interactive effects were observed for N, P, S, and zinc (Zn).
This preliminary study demonstrates that
differences in nutrient content between organic and conventional wheat
depend on crop rotation and suggests that crop rotation should be considered
in studies comparing the quality of organic and conventional produce.
Source
Canadian Journal of Plant
Science (2009) 89: 915-919
Author Locations & Affiliations
(1) Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Macdonald Campus, McGill
University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X 3V9
(2) Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Canada
R3T 2N2
(3) Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, c/o Department of Plant Science,
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2
* Corresponding author, E-mail m_entz@umanitoba.ca
en français
Posted March 2010