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Multielement Isotope Ratios of Vegetables from Integrated and Organic Production

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Abstract

In this paper we discuss the use of isotope ratios as indicators of organic production. Few studies have investigated the influence of plant nutrition on the isotopic signatures of plants. As plant nutrition is often significantly different between integrated and organic production systems the isotope ratios in the plants may reflect this. Plant samples from a 2-year field-experiment were analyzed for 15N, 13C and 34S content of the bulk-material and 18O-content of the leaf water. In this experiment cabbages (Brassica oleracea v. capitata f. alba cv. Rolly), onions (Allium cepa cv. Alisa Craig), lettuces (Lactuca sativa v. capitata cv. Ponchito) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinesis cv. Parkin) were cultivated according to good agricultural practices for integrated and organic production. No differences in the δ 34S and δ 18O values of the plants grown under the two production systems were observed. The organically produced vegetables were significantly enriched in 15N and depleted in 13C compared to those grown under the integrated system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Vegetable Science, Technische Universität München, Dürnast 2, D-85350, Freising, Germany

    M. Georgi, J. Graßmann & W. H. Schnitzler

  2. Hydroisotop GmbH, Woelkestr. 9, D-85301, Schweitenkirchen, Germany

    S. Voerkelius

  3. Isolab GmbH, Woelkestr. 9, D-85301, Schweitenkirchen, Germany

    A. Rossmann

Authors
  1. M. Georgi
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  2. S. Voerkelius
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  3. A. Rossmann
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  4. J. Graßmann
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  5. W. H. Schnitzler
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Correspondence to M. Georgi.

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Georgi, M., Voerkelius, S., Rossmann, A. et al. Multielement Isotope Ratios of Vegetables from Integrated and Organic Production. Plant Soil 275, 93–100 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-005-0258-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-005-0258-3

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