Production Of Leafy Vegetables Research Articles

Growth and nutrient level of water spinach (Ipomoea aquaticaForssk.) in response to LED light quality in a plant factory

Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.) is widely cultured as an edible green leafy vegetable in Asian countries. Its leaves contain adequate quantities of vitamins, minerals, plant fiber, amino acids, and antioxidant components. It has also been used as a traditional medicine for treating swelling, food poisoning, and antioxidant-related disorders. A plant factory with an artificial lighting system as a fully environment controllable facility has been used for year-round high quantity and quality production of leafy vegetables, herbs, and medicinal plants. This study aimed to investigate the growth and nutrient level in water spinach plants as affected by different LED light qualities in the plant factory. Plants were grown under six light conditions (white, white with far red, blue, red, blue+red, and blue+red with far red), at a PPFD of 200 µmol m(-2) s(-1) for 3 weeks after transplanting. The highest shoot weight, root biomass production, total leaf area, side-shoot development, and ascorbic acid content in shoot were observed in blue light treatment. Different light qualities influenced biomass distributions in plant leaf and stem. Red light increased plant stem length and stem dry mass with a decrease in leaf dry mass. Higher blue ratio (>50%) lights enhanced antioxidant activity in plant shoots, mainly due to a significant increase in stem rather than in leaves.

The determinants of farmers’ decision to produce African leafy vegetables in the Limpopo province, South Africa

There is a decline in the production, utilization and diversity of underutilized crops including African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs), which poses a threat to the status of food security and rural development. This study examines the factors influencing households’ participation decision in the production of African leafy vegetables in the Limpopo Province of South Africa using a double-hurdle model that accounts for whether or not smallholder farmers produce ALVs (decision to participate) and how much land was allocated for ALV production (level of participation). Participation and level of participation decisions were analysed using cross section data collected from 126 smallholder farmers in 2013. The empirical results suggest that factors explaining participation decision and the level of participation are different. Hence, it is imperative that policies that are aimed at incentivising participation and level of participation and their impacts on food security and nutrition target different groups. The commercialization of ALVs could also promote rural development in the study area.

Evaluation of cadmium transfer from soil to leafy vegetables: Influencing factors, transfer models, and indication of soil threshold contents

Food chain contamination by soil cadmium (Cd) through leafy vegetable consumption poses a threat to human health. It is imperative to understand the relationship between Cd phytoavailability in soils and its uptake in common leafy vegetables. A large-scale field survey in Zhejiang Province, southeast China, was conducted to develop models to evaluate the Cd phytoavailability to leafy vegetables based on soil properties and to establish soil Cd thresholds based on food safety. The empirical models developed in this study explained the combined effects of soil properties and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cd content on Cd phytoavailability to leafy vegetables. The Cd accumulation in celery, pak choi, and amaranth was quantitatively predicted by measurement of DTPA-extractable soil Cd and soil pH, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and clay content. For predicting Cd accumulation, the DTPA-extractable Cd, pH and clay content had a major influence in lettuce; and for water spinach, the DTPA-extractable Cd, pH, and cation exchange capacity had a major influence. Soil DTPA-extractable Cd was suitable to be used as Cd thresholds in soils cultivating celery, amaranth, pak choi, lettuce, and water spinach, with values of 0.24, 0.13, 0.23, 0.32, and 0.37 mg kg−1, respectively. However, the threshold values of soil total Cd were 0.26, 0.34, and 0.83 mg kg−1 for amaranth, celery, and pak choi fields, indicating that the current soil quality standard (GB 15618-1995) for soils cultivating different types of vegetables could be overestimated or underestimated for Cd contamination and the associated risk. This study will provide a useful reference for controlling Cd contamination in common leafy vegetables and developing sustainable production of leafy vegetables.

Auto GMS: An Automated Greenhouse Monitoring System of Abiotic Factors for Leafy Vegetables Production

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English

Traditional leafy vegetables play a significant role in the daily diets of many people in Zimbabwe. They are produced by smallholder farmers with limited knowledge on the agronomic value of high-quality seed, on seed storage, and on plant- and seed-borne pathogens. The quality of the seed is rarely tested for seed-borne pathogens posing risks of pathogen build-up. This study was conducted in order to determine the seed-borne pathogens associated with traditional leafy vegetable seeds. Seeds were collected from five different farmers in three provinces of Zimbabwe and tested for the presence of pathogens in the plant pathology laboratory of the University of Zimbabwe. A total of 154 fungal and 233 bacterial infections were recorded on 450 seeds for each type of pathogen. Significantly high percentages of the isolates (Xanthomonas campestris, Curvularia spp., Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum and Pseudomonas syringae) were obtained from the three different species of traditional leafy vegetables (Amaranthus hybridus, Bidens pilosa and Cleome gynandra).  F. oxysporum, A. alternata, X. campestris and Bacillus spp. isolates were pathogenic to traditional leafy vegetable plant species as confirmed by pathogenicity tests, hence may have significant effects on traditional leafy vegetables production. The results indicate that seed sourced from farmers 1, 2, 3 and 4 resulted in seed-borne pathogens on both the seed and plants, clearly showing that seed quality was poor. Although most pathogens observed have a broad host spectrum, pathogenicity and virulence tests confirmed that some pathogens were likely to be closely associated with these traditional leafy vegetable seed species. Key words: Seed-borne pathogens, disease occurrence, pathogenicity, bacteria, fungi, seed quality.

Effects of environment lighting on the growth, photosynthesis, and quality of hydroponic lettuce in a plant factory

Leafy vegetable production under controlled environment using artificial lighting has many advantages over conventional greenhouses and open-field production. However, high initial investment and operation costs are restricting the wide application of this technology. In order to design an optimal artificial lighting environment for lettuce production, effects of different combinations of light intensity, photoperiod, and light quality on growth, quality, photosynthesis, and energy use efficiency of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv Ziwei) were investigated under a closed plant factory. Lettuce transplants were grown under photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) at 150 µmol/m2·s, 200 µmol/m2·s, 250 µmol/m2·s, and 300 µmol/m2·s provided by fluorescent lamps (FL) with a red to blue ratio (R:B ratio) of 1.8 and light-emitting diode (LED) lamps with R:B ratio of 1.2 and 2.2, in combination with photoperiod of 12 and 16 h/d. In order to examine the “long term” photosynthetic characteristics, net photosynthetic rates of hydroponic lettuce leaves were continuously measured for 2 days (15th and 16th day after transplanting) before harvest. There was no difference in leaf fresh weight (FW) between PPFD of 250 µmol/m2·s and 300 µmol/m2·s with photoperiod of 16 h/d, regardless of light quality, and same results showed in contents of nitrate, soluble sugar, and vitamin C, respectively. The results of continuous measurements of net photosynthetic rate of lettuce leaves before harvest indicated that plants grown at PPFD of 250 µmol/m2·s had consistently higher compared to those grown at PPFD of 300 µmol/m2·s. Combining the results from growth, photosynthesis, quality, and energy consumption, it can be concluded that PPFD at 250 µmol/m2·s with photoperiod of 16 h/d under LED with R:B ratio of 2.2 is a suitable light environment for maximum growth and high quality of commercial lettuce (cv. Ziwei) production under indoor controlled environment. Keywords: plant factory, daily light integral, artificial light, photosynthetic photon flux density, net photosynthetic rate, energy use efficiency DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20181102.3420 Citation: Zhang X, He D X, Niu G H, Yan Z N, Song J X. Effects of environment lighting on the growth, photosynthesis, and quality of hydroponic lettuce in a plant factory. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(2): 33–40.

Differential Responses of Pak Choi and Edible Amaranth to an Elevated Temperature

Global surface temperatures are predicted to increase by 1 to 4 °C by the year 2100. To unravel the risks from rising temperature to Taiwan’s summer leafy vegetable production, the phenotypical and physiological responses of two leafy crops, pak choi (Brassica chinensis L. cv. Quanzhou) and edible amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L. cv. White leaf), were compared under an elevated temperature. A temperature increase from 28 to 32 °C resulted in lower leaf calcium, magnesium, and manganese concentrations (dry weight basis) in pak choi without significant changes in shoot dry weight, suggesting potential negative effects of the elevated temperature on pak choi leaf nutrient status. However, increased temperature promoted both root and leaf growth in edible amaranth, which may be beneficial to its yield, making edible amaranth a potential summer leafy vegetable crop for Taiwan. Furthermore, a temperature change from 28 to 32 °C resulted in a higher leaf nitrate concentration in edible amaranth, because of the lower nitrate reductase activity (NRA). Thus, suitable nitrogen fertilization rates and programs under elevated temperature conditions should be reconsidered in the future. To sum up, a future rise in summer temperatures may impose negative impacts on pak choi leaf nutrient status but positive impacts on edible amaranth production.

Growth and yield of different leaf-type lettuce cultivars grown in protected and open field cultivation

Leafy vegetable production in the Philippines is less diversified than many other countries, especially those used in salads. As a result, Filipino farmers are less familiar with production of leaf-type lettuce that is increasing in popularity with consumers. Therefore, two separate experiments were conducted simultaneously in open field and under bamboo house-type protective structures roofed with plastic to evaluate the performance and profitability of different leaf-type lettuce cultivars. Each study was carried out in randomized complete block design with five treatment cultivars and three replications. Most cultivars grown under protective structures had higher marketable yields than those grown in the open field. Despite plants grown under protective structures incurring higher production costs compared to the open field, higher marketable yields under protective structures resulted in higher net returns. Among the five cultivars, Green Span gave the highest return in the open field and Green Tower under the protective structure. Smaller lettuce cultivars produced lower yields than bigger cultivars.

Market Participation Among Vegetable Farmers

ABSTRACTMarket participation provides opportunities to farmers to benefit from trade by selling surplus produce and purchasing needed goods and services. Benefits and challenges to market participation faced by leafy vegetable farmers include lack of information about the markets and high transportation and transaction costs, among others, which do not allow leafy vegetable farmers to efficiently participate in markets. The study examined transaction costs involved in market participation by leafy vegetable farmers. Seventy leafy vegetable growers were randomly sampled. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a probit regression model. Most farmers were male (55.7%), between 41 and 50 years (40.0%), and married (88.6%). A majority of farmers (56.2%) had access to communication assets, 70.5% were not involved in group marketing, 76.8% source information from neighboring farmers, and 50.8% require information on buyer characteristics. Gender, years of experience in leafy vegetable production, being involved in group marketing, land ownership, and farm size all determine probability of market participation among leafy vegetable farmers.

Seedling Production of Pak Choy (Brassica rapa L. var chinensis) using Organic and Inorganic Nutrients

<p>Pak Choy or Bok Choy (<em>Brassica rapa </em>L. var. chinensis) is one of favorite Chinese leafy vegetable for various dishes in Indonesia. In this study, it was used as a plant model to identify the appropriate organic hydroponic nutrient solution for leafy vegetable seedling production. The seed was sown on rock wool slabs submerged with 200 ml of a nutrient solution containing biofertilizer of <em>Beyonic StarTmik@Lob</em> (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%). commercial hydroponic solution (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) and its combination (25, 50, and 75%). The experiments were arranged in a CRD. Meanwhile, the obtained data was analyzed using ANOVA followed by DMRT. The relationship among growth parameters was observed using Pearson correlation analysis. The result of the study showed that the combination of organic and inorganic nutrient (25% <em>Beyonic StarTmik@Lob</em> and 75% commercial hydroponic solution) resulted in the highest seedling growth parameters and leaf indices as well as the perfectly positive correlations among growth parameters. This result indicated that the use of organic nutrient alone was not appropriate for hydroponic seedling production of Pak Choy. Therefore, further study needs to be done to identify the hydroponic solution without inorganic nutrients towards the organic vegetable production.</p>

Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) response to biochar application in a humid-tropical forest soil

Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare), like many other leafy vegetable is cultivated in home gardens to improve nutritional quality for the family and may provide additional income for female farmers. However, the role of Talinum cultivation is often counteracted by declining soil fertility. In recent years, biochar (pyrolysed biomass) has gained importance as a soil amendment tool. However, not much attention has been focused on the influence of biochar on soil quality and plant growth in the humid tropics. This study was conducted to assess different locally available crop waste residues as possible sources of biochar for home garden or small-scale production units of leafy vegetable using Talinum as proxy on highly weathered acid soils in the humid tropics. The experimental set-up was a pot experiment in a complete randomized design in five replicates using biochar sources from cassava stems, rice husk, corncob and sawdust. The results obtained showed that biochar samples had a high cation exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen, total carbon and pH (7.8 to 10.8), as compared to the no-input soil (pH 5.7). It is evident that adding biochar to poor and acidic soils could possibly increase the pH and reduce lime requirements. Positive and significant response of biochar (P<0.05) application were also observed with the growth, nutrient uptake, and yield of waterleaf. Biochar produced from rice husks obtained the best response followed by sawdust, cassava and corncob. Similarly, the C and N uptake of waterleaf was generally higher with rice husk biochar use as compared to the other treatments. This study has demonstrated that biochar production could be useful in valorizing crop waste residues and biochar use is likely to enhance the productivity of leafy vegetables. More research on possible combination of biochar and other farming strategies such as the application of animal manure and mineral fertilizer to maximize Talinum production should be encouraged. Key words: Biochar, cassava stems, crop waste, residues, nitrogen, soil pH, Talinum.

Perceptions and determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation in the production of indigenous leafy vegetables: The case of Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape province of South Africa

There is a high level of consensus on the relevance of indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) in complementing household food security. Despite such a high level of consensus and several nutritional and health benefits, farmers have opted not to include them in their farming systems thus affecting production volumes and their availability on market. With the emerging interest of linking biodiversity to food security in the face of climate change, there is a need to appraise why many farmers have opted not to include ILVs in their farming systems. Against this background, this study used cross-sectional survey data to estimate determinants of farmers’ participation in the production of ILVs. Descriptive results reveal that the majority of people in the study area share positive perceptions with regards to ILVs. Regression estimates further indicate that production of ILVs are mostly conditioned by shared perceptions and institutional factors rather than socio-economic attributes of farmers. Public policies that address the institutional framework in favour of ILVs are more likely to promote production. Also, more research on benefits of ILVs supported by investments targeting educational campaigns towards promoting positive attitudes and dispelling fears and myths surrounding ILVs will further promote production.

Biochar, a potential hydroponic growth substrate, enhances the nutritional status and growth of leafy vegetables

A hydroponics system developed using a nutrient film technique was used to evaluate the effectiveness of rice husk biochar (RB) alone or in combination with perlite (PL) as substrates for increasing the growth of leafy vegetables compared with that of PL. Seedlings of cabbage, dill, mallow, red lettuce, and tatsoi were grown hydroponically in PL, RB, and PL + RB (1:1 ratio of PL to RB, v/v) substrates for a 30-d under optimal environmental conditions in a greenhouse. Shoot length and fresh/dry masses of cabbage, dill, and red lettuce plants grown in RB substrate were decreased by 49% on average compared to those plants grown in PL substrate. In contrast, PL + RB substrate led to approximately 2-fold increases in shoot length, number of leaves, and fresh/dry masses of leafy vegetable plants compared with those grown in PL substrate. Foliar nutritional composition (Ca, Mg, K, Na, Mn, Fe, and Zn) and nitrogen status (SPAD index) of plants grown in PL + RB and PL substrates suggested the presence of optimal growth conditions for ensuring optimum yield with high quality. In addition, RB substrate contributed to respective increases of 1.2–3.5-fold in leaf K, Mg, Mn, and Zn contents in most vegetable plants compared with those grown in PL substrate. The RB alone or in combination with PL substrates decreased algal growth in the nutrient solutions as confirmed by scanning electron micrographs of microalgae on the RB surface. The results also indicated that use of PL + RB hydroponic substrate could be an alternative and effective technology for the better management of unwanted algal growth in nutrient solutions and high production of leafy vegetables.

Manejos do solo associados a telas de sombreamento no cultivo da cebolinha no verão

RESUMO Telas de sombreamento são amplamente utilizadas no sistema produtivo das hortaliças folhosas, todavia são desconhecidos os efeitos dessa tecnologia na cultura da cebolinha cultivada no verão. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a redução do preparo de solo, associado a telas de sombreamento, em cultivos sucessivos da cebolinha no verão. O experimento foi implantado no esquema de parcelas subdivididas com manejos do solo nas parcelas (1= grade aradora + grade niveladora + enxada rotativa encanteiradora e 2= grade aradora + grade niveladora) e manejos do ambiente nas subparcelas (1= tela preta 35%; 2= tela preta 50%; 3= tela prata 35%; 4= tela prata 50% e 5= pleno sol). As respostas da cebolinha ao uso de telas de sombreamento em relação ao pleno sol diferiram com as condições meteorológicas no verão. Em situação de altas temperaturas do ar e menor precipitação pluvial, a produtividade da cebolinha sob as telas foi equivalente ao pleno sol, todavia com incremento na precipitação e redução das temperaturas, o cultivo a pleno sol foi mais produtivo. Plantas cultivadas sob telas de sombreamento apresentaram incremento em altura. Efeito positivo das telas foi verificado na manutenção da umidade do solo, especialmente na superfície. O preparo do solo com grade aradora + grade niveladora apresentou maior retenção de água em todas as profundidades avaliadas, em relação ao manejo com grade aradora + grade niveladora + enxada rotativa encanteiradora, todavia houve decréscimo de produtividade de 21,7% (primeiro cultivo) e 14,9% (segundo cultivo) sem preparo de canteiro.

Guidelines To Validate Control of Cross-Contamination during Washing of Fresh-Cut Leafy Vegetables

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires food processors to implement and validate processes that will result in significantly minimizing or preventing the occurrence of hazards that are reasonably foreseeable in food production. During production of fresh-cut leafy vegetables, microbial contamination that may be present on the product can spread throughout the production batch when the product is washed, thus increasing the risk of illnesses. The use of antimicrobials in the wash water is a critical step in preventing such water-mediated cross-contamination; however, many factors can affect antimicrobial efficacy in the production of fresh-cut leafy vegetables, and the procedures for validating this key preventive control have not been articulated. Producers may consider three options for validating antimicrobial washing as a preventive control for cross-contamination. Option 1 involves the use of a surrogate for the microbial hazard and the demonstration that cross-contamination is prevented by the antimicrobial wash. Option 2 involves the use of antimicrobial sensors and the demonstration that a critical antimicrobial level is maintained during worst-case operating conditions. Option 3 validates the placement of the sensors in the processing equipment with the demonstration that a critical antimicrobial level is maintained at all locations, regardless of operating conditions. These validation options developed for fresh-cut leafy vegetables may serve as examples for validating processes that prevent cross-contamination during washing of other fresh produce commodities.

Study on biomethane production and biodegradability of different leafy vegetables in anaerobic digestion

Enormous amounts of vegetable residues are wasted annually, causing many environmental problems due to their high moisture and organic contents. In this study, the methane production potential of 20 kinds of typical leafy vegetable residues in China were explored using a unified method. A connection between the biochemical components and the methane yields of these vegetables was well established which could be used to predict biogas performance in practice. A high volatile solid/total solid (VS/TS) ratio and hemicellulose content exhibited a positive impact on the biogas yield while lignin had a negative impact. In addition, three kinetic models were used to describe the methane production process of these agro-wastes. The systematic comparison of the methane production potentials of these leafy vegetables shown in this study will not only serve as a reference for basic research on anaerobic digestion but also provide useful data and information for agro-industrial applications of vegetable residues in future work.

Field Evaluation of Green and Red Leaf Lettuce Genotypes in the Imperial, San Joaquin, and Salinas Valleys of California for Heat Tolerance and Extension of the Growing Seasons

Global warming poses serious threats and challenges to the production of leafy vegetables. Being a cool-season crop, lettuce is particularly vulnerable to heat stress. To adapt to climate change, this study was conducted to evaluate the performance of leaf lettuce genotypes for heat tolerance by growing them in different locations within California that differ in temperatures during the growing season. Fifteen green leaf and 21 red leaf lettuce genotypes were selected to evaluate their performance under these environments. These genotypes were planted in March and May in Five Points (San Joaquin Valley) and El Centro (Imperial Valley) and in June 2012 in Salinas (Salinas Valley). The results suggest that lettuce planting can be extended from January to March beyond the normal growing seasons in San Joaquin and Imperial Valleys, where yield may be higher than in the Salinas Valley. The further delay in planting date from March to May in Five Points and El Centro resulted in reduction of yield and an increase in susceptibility to bolting and heat-related disorders such as tipburn and leaf desiccation in most genotypes. The susceptibility to these disorders depends on the genotype and the temperature during lettuce growth and maturation. However, heat-tolerant leaf lettuce genotypes adapted to these regions were identified. Results of this research should be useful for the development of heat-tolerant lettuce cultivars and for extending the growing season in warmer but lower land cost areas to reduce production costs.

Marketing Analysis of Indigenous Leafy Vegetables in the Tropics

ABSTRACTThere is economic potential for production of indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs); however, there has been limited information with regard to their marketing in the tropics. This study examined marketing of ILVs. A total of 250 marketers formed the sample size and questionnaires were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, and multiple regression analysis were used to explain the data. Almost all of the marketers were female and between 31 and 50 years old with some degree of formal education. Lagos spinach (Celosia agentea L.), Jute mallo (Corchorus olitorus L.), and Amaranth (Amaranthus hybidus L.) were highly preferred by consumers; Crassocephalum rubens S. Moore was highly demanded and brought a high price but was not readily available. Leaves of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), African eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L.), Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], African basil (Ocimum gratissimum L.), Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa L.), Malabar spinach (Basella alba Boiss), and Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata L.) were consumed but were not displayed for sale because they do not have market value. Average gross margin of N6476.27 (N is the Naira, Nigerian currency; US$1 = N168) was realized per week and marketing efficiency was less than 1. Multiple regression indicated that purchased price of vegetable, marketing experience, and transportation cost affected gross margin of ILVs at P < 0.01, P < 0.05, and P < 0.10, respectively. The major marketing problem identified was inaccessible road networks. Accessible road networks and encouragement of market information could improve marketing of ILVs in the region.

Technical Efficiency of Leafy Vegetable Production Using Various Sources of Water

ABSTARCTSustainable vegetable production is dependent on a guaranteed water supply. The technical efficiency of leafy vegetable farming as affected by various sources of water was investigated. A stochastic frontier production function was used to analyze data collected with a pretested questionnaire from 160 randomly selected leafy vegetable farms in the 2015 production season. Data collected include quantity of leafy vegetable produced, source of water—that is, streams, wells (open holes), or boreholes (capped holes) or wholly precipitation-dependent practice—seed, and fertilizer. Most (74.4%) respondents used the water source for domestic purposes and vegetable production; 25.6% of respondents used the water only for vegetable production. Streams as water source had the highest effect (21.0%) on technical efficiency in leafy vegetable production. Seed (P < 0.01) and fertilizer (P < 0.01) were important factors for successful vegetable production. Vegetable farmers using stream water were more efficient than users of other sources.

Virological Quality of Irrigation Water in Leafy Green Vegetables and Berry Fruits Production Chains.

This study condenses data acquired during investigations of the virological quality of irrigation water used in production of fresh produce. One hundred and eight samples of irrigation water were collected from five berry fruit farms in Finland (1), the Czech Republic (1), Serbia (2), and Poland (1), and sixty-one samples were collected from three leafy green vegetable farms in Poland, Serbia, and Greece. Samples were analyzed for index viruses of human or animal fecal contamination (human and porcine adenoviruses, and bovine polyoma viruses), and human pathogenic viruses (hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, and noroviruses GI/GII). Both index and pathogenic viruses were found in irrigation water samples from the leafy green vegetables production chain. The data on the presence of index viruses indicated that the highest percentage of fecal contamination was of human origin (28.1%, 18/64), followed by that of porcine (15.4%, 6/39) and bovine (5.1%, 2/39) origins. Hepatitis E virus (5%, 1/20) and noroviruses GII (14.3%, 4/28) were also detected. Samples from berry fruit production were also positive for both index and pathogenic viruses. The highest percentage of fecal contamination was of human origin (8.3%, 9/108), followed by that of porcine, 4.5% (4/89) and bovine, 1.1% (1/89) origins. Norovirus GII (3.6%, 2/56) was also detected. These data demonstrate that irrigation water used in primary production is an important vehicle of viral contamination for fresh produce, and thus is a critical control point which should be integrated into food safety management systems for viruses. The recommendations of Codex Alimentarius, as well as regulations on the use of water of appropriate quality for irrigation purposes, should be followed.