Effects Of Cultivation Methods Research Articles

Effect of Different Sustainable Cultivation Methods on the Biometric Parameters and Yield of Mint

Mint is one of the most valuable herbs, and has multiple benefits and uses. The effect of cultivation methods on the biometric parameters of mint plants was determined by comparing a hydroponic system involving moveable flood tables with plastic covers and a raised-bed growing system in an open field. The morphometric parameters of mint plants may vary depending on species and cultivation method. An interaction between both factors was observed for plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and the number of leaves. Spearmint and apple mint grown under field conditions were characterized by higher average values of plant height and width and a higher number of branches than hydroponically grown plants. In the hydroponic system, the number of branched stems decreased by up to 80% with increased plant height. Leaf width was correlated with the total number of leaves. An increase in the number of leaves per plant induced a decrease in leaf width (up to 61%). Field-grown mint is usually characterized by higher marketable and total yields than hydroponically grown mint. However, the marketable yield of apple mint was approximately 50% higher in the hydroponic system than in the field.

Effect of Cultivation Methods on Structural Elements and Grain Yield of Winter Wheat

The main part of human food is wheat, and the main task facing agriculture is to obtain high-quality grain from a single field in the current conditions. Yield varies depending on the variety, soil and climatic conditions and the cultivation used. Taking these into account, our research studied the structural elements and yield of winter wheat against the background of predecessors, soil cultivation and nutritional conditions in dry rainfed conditions, and the 3-year average result is also given in the article. For the first time in the region, optimal nutritional conditions and soil cultivation were studied by minimizing soil cultivation based on its predecessor and replacing some mineral fertilizers with organic fertilizers in order to obtain both high and quality grain products through efficient use of land. The studies were conducted in a 3-factor (2×3×3) field experiment in a short-rotation cropping turnover (peas, wheat, wheat) located in the Jalilabad Regional Experimental Station in the dry rainfed conditions of South Mugan. The object of research is the fertile 95 durum wheat varieties. Structural analysis of the yields was carried out on samples of sheaves taken from 1 m2(4×0.83×2×0.15 m) in two rows of 83 cm in 4 different replicate locations. After the shave samples were taken, the yield of the grain was determined according to the cultivation options by harvesting directly in each field with a combine. From the 3-year average results of the study for 2019-2021, it was found that the structural indicators of the variety and grain yield were dynamic depending on the cultivation option. However, the highest results were obtained after the pea predecessor against the background of N60P60+10 tons of manure applied with a heavy disc harrow at a depth of 10-12 cm in the twice disc option.

Effects of the Cultivation Methods on the Sensory Quality and Phytochemical Profiles of Satsuma Mandarin (Citrus unshiu)

Citrus fruits have a distinctive flavor and can convey health benefits because of their unique phytochemicals. Phytochemical profiles are influenced by many factors, including variety and environmental growing conditions; however, the effect of the cultivation methods on the phytochemical profile of Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu) has received little attention. In this study, we examined the relationships between the cultivation conditions, sensory quality, and phytochemical profiles of C. unshiu cultivated using four methods: open field, greenhouse, film mulching, and tunnel farming. The soil water content differed significantly between the cultivation methods and showed a strong positive correlation with sourness, bitterness, and astringency and a strong negative correlation with sweetness. The metabolites of C. unshiu were not associated with the soil water content but with the soil mineral content, including nitrogen (N+), phosphorus (P+), and potassium (K+). The soil P+ and K+ content was positively correlated with most secondary metabolites. The relative abundance of sugars did not differ significantly between the cultivation methods; however, the sweetness was higher under film mulching than under the other cultivation methods because of the suppression of sweetness by bitter compounds. We did not investigate the effect of other growing conditions, such as sunlight; however, the results improve our understanding of the effect of cultivation methods on the quality of C. unshiu and may inform crucial decisions concerning citrus cultivation.

Overproduction of cyano-sunscreen scytonemin by Leptolyngbya mycodia in two stage illuminated photobioreactor: From submerged to attached cultivation

Scytonemin, a highly stable UV-protective pigment, synthesized by some cyanobacteria has become a striking target as an effective medicine and natural-ecofriendly sunscreen. However, its application in cosmetic/pharmaceutical industries has been restrained due to its incompetent productivity. Effect of cultivation method on scytonemin productivity was examined in this study using cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya mycodia (IBRC-M-5200). Since scytonemin productivity depends on both growth and induction synthesis, a two-stage illumination strategy was exploited to support growth in 1st stage under P-regime (photosynthetically active radiation) and induce scytonemin synthesis in 2nd stage under PU-regime (P-regime combined with ultraviolet radiation (UVR)). To enhance growth, attached growth was preliminarily examined on various support materials (similar surface area of ~300 cm2 L−1) in shake flasks. Comparison of submerged and attached systems showed the superiority of attached cultivation, with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) mesh sheet resulting in a firmly adhered biofilm at the highest productivity of ~60 g (m2 L d)−1. Accordingly, HDPE was used to compare cell growth and scytonemin synthesis in two stage attached (AG-PB) and submerged (SG-PB) cylindrical photobioreactors. The proposed AG-PB system ensured higher productivities of biomass (43 %) in 1st stage and scytonemin (82 %) at the end of 2nd stage compared to the corresponding stages in submerged growth (SG-PB). Additionally, the effect of aeration rate (0–20 vvm) in 2nd stage of attached system was investigated where insignificant changes were observed in growth and scytonemin synthesis. The successful attached growth of L. mycodia leading to improved scytonemin synthesis can be used in future research on scytonemin production lines.

Effect of cultivation method on yield, yield attributes and economics attributes of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) the semi – arid Condition of Kandahar Afghanistan

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy farm, Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University, during the period from 2 March to 12 June 2020 to study the effect of two types of cultivation methods such as raised bed and flatbed on the yield, yield attributes and economics attributes of chickpea. The experiment was laid out in a Split Plot design with three replications. All the nutrients were applied as basal on land preparation operation. Seeds were sown manually @ 30 kg ha-1 for a flatbed as well as @ 45cm x 10 cm spacing for a raised bed. Observations were recorded for various growth parameters and yield attributes at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and harvest. Statistical analysis of data was done online through OPSTAT software. Raised bed cultivation method significantly enhanced the growth parameters of chickpea viz., plant height (4.44 cm, 8.40 cm and 25.45 cm at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and harvest), dry matter plant-1 (3.12 g, 5.26 g and 15.50 g at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and at harvest. Yield attributes viz., number of pod plant-1 (20.15), number of grain pod-1 (1.38), and 1,000 grain weight (207.44 g) showed remarkable improvement with raised bed cultivation method Yield of chickpea viz., grain yield (1.21 t ha-1), Stover yield (1.33 t ha-1) biological yield (3.44 t ha-1) and harvest index (27.44 t ha-1) were recorded significantly higher with raised bed cultivation method. Similarly, significantly higher economics attributes viz., Cost of cultivation (26,989 AFN ha-1), gross returns (104,795AFN ha-1), net returns (76,854 AFN ha-1), and benefit cost ratio (2.78), recorded with raised bed cultivation method.

Effect of cultivation method on yield, yield attributes and economics attributes of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) the semi-arid Condition of Kandahar Afghanistan

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy farm, Afghanistan National Agricultural Science and Technology University, during the period from 2 March to 12 June 2020 to study the effect of two types of cultivation methods such as raised bed and flatbed on the yield, yield attributes and economics attributes of chickpea. The experiment was laid out in a Split Plot design with three replications. All the nutrients were applied as basal on land preparation operation. Seeds were sown manually @ 30 kg ha-1 for a flatbed as well as @ 45cm x 10 cm spacing for a raised bed. Observations were recorded for various growth parameters and yield attributes at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and harvest. Statistical analysis of data was done online through OPSTAT software. Raised bed cultivation method significantly enhanced the growth parameters of chickpea viz., plant height (4.44 cm, 8.40 cm and 25.45 cm at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and harvest), dry matter plant-1 (3.12 g, 5.26 g and 15.50 g at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and at harvest. Yield attributes viz., number of pod plant-1 (20.15), number of grain pod-1 (1.38), and 1,000-grain weight (207.44 g) showed remarkable improvement with raised bed cultivation method Yield of chickpea viz., grain yield (1.21 t ha-1), Stover yield (1.33 t ha-1) biological yield (3.44 t ha-1) and harvest index (27.44 t ha-1) were recorded significantly higher with raised bed cultivation method. Similarly, significantly higher economics attributes viz., Cost of cultivation (26,989 AFN ha-1), gross returns (104,795AFN ha-1), net returns (76,854 AFN ha-1), and benefit-cost ratio (2.78), recorded with raised bed cultivation method.

Effects of Weed Control Treatments on Weed Composition and Yield Components of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Winter Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Intercrops

Intercropping is an ancient and worldwide agricultural practice expected to become more prevalent in Hungary due to the accumulating impact of climate change. In this study, the plant association of pure winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pure winter pea (Pisum sativum L.) was analyzed without weed control and with applied herbicides at different intervals (pre-emergence, early and late post-emergence) and different active herbicide ingredients. Two growing seasons, 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 were examined to compare weed composition and weed cover to evaluate the effect of the applied herbicides at different timings. To determine weed control efficiency, weed surveys were conducted six times in each growing season. The effect of cultivation methods (pure and mixed plots) on the development of plants was also measured by yield production analysis. Findings from these investigations indicate that there were significantly more weed species and occurrences of weeds in pure wheat and pure pea plots compared to mixed plots. In addition to cultivation and weed control treatments, meteorological events significantly influenced the development of the plants, and thus the yield components.

Effects of Cultivation Methods on Components of Wheat Yield

Effects of Cultivation Methods on Components of Wheat Yield

Effect of Cultivation Methods on Seed Yield Traits, Oil Yield, and Fatty Acid Compositions of Cultivated Paeonia ostii

Paeonia ostii is recognized as an important oilseed tree peony species with potential as a raw material source for cosmetic and health care products, strong seed setting capacity, high seed oil yield, and abundant omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. P. ostii, commonly called Fengdan, is widely cultivated in China. The cultivation method difference has an important influence on the oil-use feature, which is a key index for evaluating the quality of oilseed crops. This study aimed to select an optimal cultivation method to provide the first reference data for high-yield and high-quality seed oil harvesting and to facilitate the understanding of the quality difference in the formation mechanism of seed oil in cultivated P. ostii. This study selected five representative cultivation methods, open field cultivation, sunny slope cultivation, shady slope cultivation, understory intercropping cultivation, and high-altitude cultivation, and investigated the influence of cultivation method differences on the oil-use feature based on the three aspects of seed yield traits, oil yield, and fatty acid compositions. Six seed yield traits (fruit pod length, fruit pod width, fruit pod thickness, number of fruit pods per plant, 1000-grain weight, and seed yield per plant) and oil yield reached the maximum values of 7.75 cm, 6.99 cm, 1.57 cm, 11.33, 290.45 g, 85.8 g, and 30.41%, respectively, using the understory intercropping cultivation method. Fatty acid compositions were mainly identified as α-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid, with significant content differences among different cultivation methods (P < 0.05). Functional component α-linolenic acid and total amounts of unsaturated fatty acids reached the maximum values of 46.85% and 65.23%, respectively, with high-altitude cultivation and understory intercropping cultivation. The seed yield traits, oil yield, and total amounts of unsaturated fatty acids were optimal with the understory intercropping cultivation method, whereas high-altitude cultivation was conducive to the accumulation of α-linolenic acid. Understory intercropping cultivation with appropriate altitude increases is recommended as a preponderant cultivation method for high-yield and high-quality seed oil harvesting for this crop.

Integration of Waste Valorization for Sustainable Production of Chemicals and Materials via Algal Cultivation.

Managing waste is an increasing problem globally. Microalgae have the potential to help remove contaminants from a range of waste streams and convert them into useful biomass. This article presents a critical review of recent technological developments in the production of chemicals and other materials from microalgae grown using different types of waste. A range of novel approaches are examined for efficiently capturing CO2 in flue gas via photosynthetic microalgal cultivation. Strategies for using microalgae to assimilate nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphorus, and metal ions from wastewater are considered in relation to modes of production. Generally, more economical open cultivation systems such as raceway ponds are better suited for waste conversion than more expensive closed photobioreactor systems, which might have use for higher-value products. The effect of cultivation methods and the properties of the waste streams on the composition the microalgal biomass is discussed relative to its utilization. Possibilities include the production of biodiesel via lipid extraction, biocrude from hydrothermal liquefaction, and bioethanol or biogas from microbial conversion. Microalgal biomass produced from wastes may also find use in higher-value applications including protein feeds or for the production of bioactive compounds such as astaxanthin or omega-3 fatty acids. However, for some waste streams, further consideration of how to manage potential microbial and chemical contaminants is needed for food or health applications. The use of microalgae for waste valorization holds promise. Widespread implementation of the available technologies will likely follow from further improvements to reduce costs, as well as the increasing pressure to effectively manage waste.

The effects of cultivation methods and planting season on biomass yield of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.) under rainfed conditions in the northeast region of Thailand

The worldwide search for carbon dioxide neutral biomass for the conversion into bio-energy as alternative to fossil fuels has promoted Napier grass for cropping in warm climates due to high yields even under less-than-ideal management. Our objectives were to evaluate the effects of cutting types (setts, 60-cm and 120-cm stem sections and terminal cuttings), planting methods of setts (vertical insertion or horizontal burial), and planting date (rainy or dry season) of Napier grass for dry matter yield (DMY) in a field experiment under low-fertile conditions carried out and repeated in two consecutive years in northeast region of Thailand.Terminal cuttings produced up to 16.14MgDMha−1 and also showed the best planted-to-produced biomass ratio, followed by long stems but the setts produced the smallest yields. It was observed that the organogenesis of stem-section cuttings was slower than terminal cuttings which, consequently, produced more DMY. In fact, terminal cuttings appeared most suitable for the direct propagation in the field for the highest biomass production. Non-significant differences between DMY were observed between planting methods of vertical insertion or horizontal burial of setts as what prefers their handling in the field. Furthermore, an unclear pattern was found for the planting date of setts when more biomass was produced in the dry season from 2012 to 2013, and vice versa during second year of the experiment. Nevertheless, the non-significant differences of planting date showed that Napier grass could improve land-use efficiency and bear additional income, if cropped during the dry season.

Centaurium erythraea Cultivation Method for Optimal Yield and Product Quality

ABSTRACTThe effect of cultivation methods on plant development, yield, secoiridoid glycoside content, and physical and microbiological contamination of centaury (Centaurium erythraea) were investigated. Plants were cultivated in uncovered soil, soil covered with mulch film, or in pots. There was no difference in dry matter yield of plants grown on a mulch film (665 g.m–2) and without mulch film (680 g.m–2), whereas the outdoor cultivation in pots resulted in lower yield (330 g.m–2). The physical and microbiological contamination was lowest in plants cultivated in pots and highest when cultivated without soil cover. The total concentration of secoiridoid glycosides in the plants was not affected by the cultivation methods. The use of mulch film combined high yield and low microbiological and physical contamination, and had no effect on the content of desired bioactive compounds.

The effects of cultivation methods and water regimes on root systems of drought-tolerant (RD6) and drought-sensitive (RD10) rice varieties of Thailand

ABSTRACTIn this study, we have attempted to investigate the effect of different water-saving cultivation techniques on root systems of two Thai rice varieties. The variables were two rice varieties (RD6 and RD10), two cultivation methods (dry direct seeding [DS] and transplanting [TP]) and two soil moisture regimes (field capacity [FC] and 50% FC). RD6 variety had higher root number, root length and root length density compared with RD10 under TP method at FC. Higher root number was observed for TP than dry DS method under FC at flowering stage with 543 and 415 roots plant–1 for RD6 and 392 and 362 roots plant–1 for RD10 cultivated under TP and dry DS methods, respectively. Root dry matter (DM) was the highest for RD6 cultivated through dry DS method compared with TP method at FC for both tillering and flowering stages. RD6 variety resulted in 25% and 50% higher root DM at FC for dry DS than TP at tillering and flowering stages, respectively. The performance of RD10 was poor under 50% FC and dry DS method. With proper selection of variety, dry DS method could be a better alternative for sustainable rice cultivation under water-limited environments.

Effects of cultivation methods and cultivars on the incidence of major insect pest of rice

Effects of cultivation methods and cultivars on the incidence of major insect pest of rice

EFFECT OF IRRIGATION LEVELS, CULTIVATION METHODS AND PLANT DENSITIES ON PRODUCTIVITY, QUALITY OF ONION CROP AND SOME WATER RELATIONS IN HEAVY CLAY SOILS

EFFECT OF IRRIGATION LEVELS, CULTIVATION METHODS AND PLANT DENSITIES ON PRODUCTIVITY, QUALITY OF ONION CROP AND SOME WATER RELATIONS IN HEAVY CLAY SOILS

The impact of no-tillage cultivation and white mustard as a cover crop on weed infestation and yield of carrot and red beet

In a two-year field experiment, no-tillage cultivation using white mustard (<em>Sinapis alba</em> L. ‘Bardena’), 30 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>, as a cover crop did not influence emergence of red beet (<em>Beta vulgaris</em> L. ‘Czerwona Kula REW’) and had a favorable effect on emergence of carrot (<em>Daucus carota</em> L. ‘Berlikumer 2 – Perfekcja REW’). However, further growth of both vegetables was significantly slower under no-tillage cultivation. Both vegetables produced a higher yield of roots and the diameter of these roots was bigger under conventional cultivation. The effect of cultivation method on the content of total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in carrot and red beet leaves varied, while the content of dry matter, monosaccharides and total sugars was significantly higher in the roots of both vegetables harvested under no-tillage cultivation. The number of weeds growing on no-tilled plots covered with mustard mulch 4 weeks after seed sowing was lower by about 75%, but their fresh weight was higher more than 6 times in comparison to that under conventional cultivation. This was caused by the emergence of wintering and winter hardy weeds in places not covered by mustard plants in the autumn of the year preceding the cultivation of vegetables. Next year, they started to grow in the early spring and some of them produced a considerable amount of fresh weight and attained the flowering stage in the middle of April.

Effects of Ecological Conditions and Cultivation Methods on Rice Starch RVA Profile Characteristics and Protein Content

In order to clarify the relations of ecological conditions, cultivation methods and their interactions with rice starch and protein qualities, the authors systematically studied the effects of cultivation methods on rice strach RVA profile and protein con-tent under different ecological conditions by using rice varieties II You 498 as material. The result showed that all of the ecologi-cal conditions, cultivation methods and interactions of them had a significant effect on the RVA profile of rice starch. With the raising of altitude and the reducing of average temperature and sunshine hours in 30 days after heading, the peak viscosity, hot paste viscosity and cool paste viscosity of RVA depressed significantly. It was found that both of seedling age and transplanting methods caused RVA profile changes. The peak viscosity and cool paste viscosity of long seedling age were higher than those of short seedling age. Meanwhile, the peak viscosity, hot paste viscosity and cool paste viscosity of the optimized-broadcasting rice treatment were lower than those of the double seedlings hand-transplanted treatment. Because of the interaction of ecological condition and cultivation method, all of the seven eigenvalue were strongly influenced, but pasting temperature. In addition, it was easy to discover that breakdown viscosity and setback viscosity were affected higher than peak time and pasting temperature, according to the coefficient of variation. Besides, all of the latitude, light and temperature conditions affected protein content se-riously. In conclusion, in order to get a better cooking and eating quality and rice yield under different ecological conditions, an appropriate cultivation method must be chosen.

재배방법에 따른 고구마의 품질특성 및 화학성분 변화

재배방법을 달리하여 재배한 고구마의 품질특성과 화학성분 및 항산화활성의 변화를 분석하여 고구마 친환경재배에 적합한 녹비작물 설정의 기초자료로 활용하고자 하였다. 녹비작물 재배 후 후작으로 재배한 고구마에 대한 당도 및 색도 등의 품질특성과 호화특성을 분석한 결과 전작물에 따라 유의적으로 차이를 보이는 것으로 나타났다. 수확된 고구마를 과피와 과육으로 분리하여 수분(62.5-80.6 g/100 g), 단백질(2.6-3.9 g/100 g) 등의 일반성분과 칼륨, 칼슘, 마그네슘, 나트륨 등의 무기성분 함량을 분석한 결과 전작물에 따라 유의적으로 차이를 보였다. 재배방법을 달리하여 재배한 고구마를 과피와 과육으로 구분하여 메탄올로 추출하여 총 폴리페놀, 플라보노이드 함량을 분석한 결과 과육보다 과피 추출물이 유의적으로 높은 함량을 보였다(p<0.05). 가장 높은 함량을 보인 처리구는 관행재배 방법으로 재배한 고구마(SP1)로서 과피 추출물에서 각각 9.38 mg GAE/g sample 및 5.57 mg CE/g sample으로 유의적으로 가장 높았다(p<0.05). DPPH 및 ABTS radical 소거활성 또한 항산화성분과 마찬가지로 과육보다 과피 추출물이 유의적으로 높은 활성을 보였으며(p<0.05), 관행재배 방법으로 재배한 고구마(SP1) 과피 추출물이 각각 776.38 및 708.03mg TE/100 g sample로 유의적으로 가장 높은 활성을 보였고, 헤어리베치 후작으로 재배한 고구마(SP2)가 각각 715.20 및 708.58mg TE/100 g sample로 비교적 높은 활성을 보였다. 이상의 결과에서 관행재배 방법으로 재배한 고구마(SP1)가 높은 항산화성을 보였으며, 헤어리베치 후작으로 재배한 고구마(SP2)가 그 다음의 항산화성을 보여 다른 작물에 비해 유리할 것으로 판단된다. Effects of cultivation methods on quality characteristics, pasting characteristics, chemical components, and antioxidant activities of sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) were determined. The Brix degree, hunter color value, pasting characteristics, moisture, protein, and mineral contents of the sweet potatoes showed significant differences from cultivation methods. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of the methanolic extracts of the sweet potato's pericarp were higher than sweet potato's sarcocarp. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the sweet potato's pericarp on the conventional culture and successful cropped hairy vetch culture was 776.38 and 715.20 mg TE/100 g sample. The 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity of the sweet potato's pericarp on the conventional culture and successful cropped hairy vetch culture was 708.03 and 708.58 mg TE/100 g sample. Generally, there was a difference in antioxidant compound content and radical scavenging activity on the methanolic extract of sweet potato with cultivation methods.

Effect of Cultivation Methods on Wood Static Bending Properties in Alnus Glutinosa

This study was carried out to determine radial variation of wood density, modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and stress at elastic limit in plantation and natural alder (Alnus glutinosa) forests in north of Iran. Testing samples were taken at breast height of the stem and at three radial positions (10, 50 and 90 % of radius) for both cultivation methods (natural and plantation forests) to determine wood mechanical strength properties according to the ASTM standard. Analysis of variance indicated that cultivation methods (natural and plantation forest), radial position and interaction between planting position and radial direction had no significant effects on the modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and stress at elastic limit in alder wood. Only the radial position had a significant effect on the wood density. Wood density was increased along radial direction from the pith to the periphery for both planting conditions. Overall, the mechanical strength properties in plantation forest were slightly higher than in natural forest. The relationship between wood density and mechanical properties were analyzed by linear regression. A positive relationship was found between wood density and mechanical properties for both planting conditions. These relationships were stronger in plantation forest than in natural forest.

Health biomarkers in a rat model after intake of organically grown carrots

Organic food is perceived as being of better quality and healthier than conventional foods although the scientific research on organic foodstuffs is highly contradictory. The aim of the present study was to investigate if intake of carrots from four different cultivation systems grown in two consecutive years would influence various biomarkers of health in a rat model. All rats were fed a diet with 40% carrot content. The carrots were grown under conventional (C), 'minimalistic' organic (O1), organic (O2), or 'very' organic cultivation systems (O3). A control group (CO) being fed standard rat chow was included. The plasma α-tocopherol concentration was higher in the O2 carrot-based diet group than in the C carrot based-diet group in one year, while all other health biomarkers or nutrient content differences were observed between the CO diet and the carrot-based diets. This well-controlled field study demonstrated no clear influence of cultivation methods or harvest year on the nutritional quality of carrots or effect of cultivation methods on health-related biomarkers in a sensitive rat model. However, the experimental set-up and selected biomarkers could be used as a framework for further studies of health in relation to organic foodstuff.