Minerals and Microbiological Quality of Organically and Conventionally Grown Vegetables

Amaranthus, spinach and tomato were cultivated to study the effect of organic farming on minerals (Fe, Zn, Ca, Mg, N, P and K), microbiological quality and affect of nitrates on these vegetables in two seasons i.e kharif and rabi. Field experiments were laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with 4 replications, each of vermicompost (VC), farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM) and cowdung (CD) as organic manures with conventional fertilizers as control. Organic farming found to significantly increase Fe, Zn, Ca, Mg and P as soil that has been managed organically has more microorganisms, which produce many compounds that influence the plant to absorb more micronutrients from soil in amaranthus, spinach and tomato crops and conventionally grown amaranthus, spinach and tomato were found to contain significantly higher nitrates compared to organically grown crops.