Abstract
Research was conducted for 3 years in different plot areas of a Pugwash sandy loam near Truro, N.S. Five replicates of two treatments (organic and conventional) were established annually for carrots ( Daucus carota L. cv. ‘Cellobunch’) and cabbages ( Brassica oleracea L. var capitata cv. ‘Lennox’). The addition of pesticides, lime and NPK fertilizer to the conventional plots followed soil test and provincial recommendations; lime, composted manure and insect control applications to the organic plots were according to the guidelines of the Organic Crop Improvement Association Inc. The compost was analyzed for total N and applied to provide 170 kg N ha −1 for carrots and 300 kg N ha −1 for cabbages, which assumed 50% availability of N. In addition to marketable yields, carrot leaves and roots and cabbage sections were digested and analyzed for 12 macro- and micronutrients. Vitamins C and E and α- and β-carotene of mature crops were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography; in 2 of the 3 years, vitamin C was also analyzed up to 24 weeks after harvest. Soil samples were also taken at harvest, extracted with Mehlich-3 or 2 M KCl solution and analyzed for essential nutrients and available N. Analysis of the 3 years of data showed that the yield and vitamin content of the carrots and cabbages were not affected by treatments. Five elements in carrot roots (N, S, Mn, Cu, B) and two elements in carrot leaves (S, Na) were influenced by treatments ( P < 0.11); in cabbages, N, Mn and Zn were affected. The treatments did not affect the Mehlich-3 extractable soil nutrients in the carrot plots, whereas only Mehlich-3 Cu and the NH 4-N and NO 3-N contents of the soil were affected in the cabbage plots. In a comparison of soil and plant elements, the Mehlich-3 Ca and Mg in the carrot plots and the Mehlich-3 P, K and Zn in the cabbage plots were significantly correlated with both the edible and/or leaf tissue contents of these elements.
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