PLEASE NOTE:

The study listed above DID NOT investigate organic versus commercial produce. Somebody mis-printed the tables and for years it has circulated as fact. Too bad because it clouds an otherwise good study done by Rutgers researchers.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the Soil Science Society of America, examined the mineral composition of vegetables grown on different soil types.

Dr. Firman Bear and his colleagues found that vegetables grown on heavy soils in the Ohio Valley had a greater mineral content than produce grown on sandy Coastal Plain soils near the East Coast. These results are important because they show that soil type--and probably soil organic matter content--affect the mineral composition of foods grown on them.

There are many environmental and cultural factors that influence the nutritional composition of produce, and these may ultimately play a greater role in food quality than simple organic versus conventional logic.

Environmental conditions likely to affect food quality include geographical area, soil type, soil moisture, soil health (humus content, fertility, microbial activity, etc.), weather and climatic conditions (temperature, rainfall, flooding, drought), and pollution.

Cultural practices likely to affect food quality include humus management techniques such as green manuring and composting, variety, seed source, length of growing season, irrigation, fertilization, cultivation, and postharvest handling (especially temperature and relative humidity).

The article by Sharon Hornick, "Factors Affecting the Nutritional Quality of Crops," provides a comprehensive review of these factors. This paper was published in a special issue of The American Journal of Alternative Agriculture containing the proceedings of a Conference on the Assessment and Monitoring of Soil Quality.

On the other hand, there are actually quite a number of studies that "have" shown significant differences between the nutritional quality of organic and conventionally- raised foods. It is not simply folklore as suggested in an earlier thread. Many of the studies favor organic but of course there are others which show no differences.

But, just because some farmer produces food according to certified organic guidelines does not mean that this food will be superior however, and the reasons are due to all the factors in the above paragraphs.

That is why a refractometer and other qualitative methods of measurement are good indicators. Paper chromatography is perhaps a better indicator than atomic absorption spectophotometry for food quality. Fractionation of proteins and vitamins etc. to visually observe content and balance rather than elemental concentration as sole indicator.

The recent research by Dr. Phil Callahan on paramagnetism may prove to be a factor. From this it can be seen that organic has advantages for the humus factor and biological activity. On the other, natural rock powders derived from paramagnetic origin may be critical to establish a weak charge. The magnetism created thus influences mineral uptake and plant health. The PCSM Meter is available for anybody to see for themselves differences in depleted soils and healthy soils. Originally developed for the mining industry at $6,000, it is now available to farmers thru Pike Lab Supplies for $400. To my knowledge it has not been taken up by any land-grants as yet as a research topic; though Callan himself spent 30 years as a USDA-ARS Entomologist before retiring to compile his monumental book "Paramagetism" published by Acres, U.S.A.

Ultimately, how people "feel" after eating food is what counts. Health conscious yoga practitioners who are in tune with their bodies self-select natural and organic foods and this fact has merit comparable to a dozen scientific studies.

Food quality is defined more broadly by the Soil Association in England. They adopted standards developed at the University of Kassel and the Elm Farm Research Centre, two European research institutes actively conducting organic farming systems research. Six criteria--Sensual, Authenticity, Functional, Nutritional, Biological, and Ethical--make up this new holistic approach.

Food Quality: Concepts & Methodology is the proceedings of an international colloquium organized by the Elm Farm Research Centre and the University of Kassel. It is a 64-page book published in 1992. It is available for 10 pounds in English currency (about $20.00). Contact:

Elm Farm Research Centre
Hamstead Marshall
Near Newbury
Berkshire RG15 OHR
Great Britain

The Ecological Agriculture Project at MacDonald College of McGill University in Canada has published several informative reports and bibliographies on this topic. Titles include "Soil Conditions and Food Quality", "Soil Fertility and the Nutritional Quality of Food," and "Comparison of Food Quality of Organically Versus Conventionally Grown Plant Foods." Contact:

Ecological Agriculture Project
Box 191, MacDonald College
21,111 Lakeshore
Ste-Anne De Bellevue, Quebec
Canada H9X 1CO

Additional comments can be found below. I have investigated this topic over several years; it is a central issue in our modern food production system...the relationhsip between farming system and health of people and livestock.

Steve Diver
Fayetteville, AR

References:

Bear, Firman E. 1948. Variations in mineral composition of vegetables. Soil Sci. Soc. Proc. Vol. 13. p. 380-384.

Hornick, Sharon B. 1992. Factors affecting the nutritional quality of crops. Am. J. Alt. Agric. Vol. 7, No. 1-2. p. 63-68.

Further Reading:

Beddoe, A.F. 1992. Nourishment Home Grown. Agro-Bio Systems, Grass Valley, CA. 299 p.

Peavy, William S., and Warren Peary. 1993. Super Nutrition Gardening. Avery Publishing Co., Garden City, NY. 236 p.

Velimirov, A. et al. 1992. The influence of biologically and conventionally cultivated food on the fertility of rats. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture. Vol. 8. p. 325-337.

Plochberger, K. 1989. Feeding experiments. A criterion for quality estimation of biologically and conventionally produced foods. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. Vol. 27. p. 419-428.

Knorr, Dietrich. 1982. Use of a circular chromatographic method for the distinction of collard plants grown under different fertilizing conditions. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture. Vol. 1. p. 29-38.

Anon. 1988. The value of organic food. The Living Earth. July-September. p. 16-17.

Anon. 1992. Towards a new definition of food quality. NOFA-NY News. January/February. p. 3 & 6.

Feenstra, Gail. 1992. Vitamin and mineral contents of carrot and celeriac grown under mineral or organic fertilization. Components. Vol. 3, No. 1. p. 9-10. Review of Leclerc, J., et al. 1991. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture, Vol. 7. p. 339-348.

Hood, Sam. 1993. Exhausted soil produces exhausted people. Acres, U.S.A. June. p. 30 & 39.

Hornick, Sharon B. 1992. Factors affecting the nutritional quality of crops. Am. J. Alt. Agric. Vol. 7, No. 1-2. p. 63-68.

Kenton, Leslie. 1988. Eat organic, and live well. The Secrets of Ecological Agriculture. The Living Earth. July-September. p. 17-18.

Knorr, Dietrich, and Hartmut Vogtmann. 1983. Quality of and quality determination of ecologically grown foods. p. 352-381. In: Knorr, Dietrich (ed.) Sustainable Food Systems. The AVI Publishing Co., Westport, CT.

Lairon, D., et al. 1986. Effects of organic and mineral fertilizations on the contents of vegetables in minerals, vitamin C, and nitrates. p. 249-260. In: The Importance of Biological Agriculture in a World of Diminishing Resources. Proceedings of the 5th IFOAM International Scientific Conference at the University of Kassel (Germany).

Lampkin, Nicolas. 1990. Organic Farming. Farming Press, Ipswich, United Kingdom. p. 557-573, and 608-610.

Ausebel, Kenny. 1994. Seeds of Change: The Living Treasure. HarperSanFrancisco, San Francisco, CA. 232 p.

Clancy, Katherine L. 1986. The role of sustainable agriculture in improving the safety and quality of the food supply. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture. Winter. p. 11-18.

Comis, Don. 1989. Nitrogen overload may shrivel vitamin content. Agricultural Research. July. p. 10-11.

Eggert, F. P. 1983. Effect of soil management practices on yield and foliar nutrient concentration of dry beans, carrots, and tomatoes. p. 247-259. In: Lockeretz, W. (ed.) Environmentally Sound Agriculture. Praeger Scientific, NY.

Fischer, Ada, and C.H. Richter. 1986. Influence of organic and mineral fertilizers on yield and quality of potatoes. p. 236-248. In: The Importance of Biological Agriculture in a World of Diminishing Resources. Proceedings of the 5th IFOAM Conference at the University of Kassel (Germany).

Howard, Sir Albert. 1947. The Soil and Health. The Devin-Adair Co., New York. 307 p.

Knorr, Dietrich. 1982. Natural and organic foods: definitions, quality, and problems. Cereal Foods World. Vol. 27, No. 4. p. 163-168.

Maga, Joseph A. 1983. Organically grown foods. p. 305-349. In: Knorr, Dietrich (ed.) Sustainable Food Systems. The AVI Publishing Co., Westport, CT.

McSheelhy, T.W. 1977. Nutritive value of wheat grown under organic and chemical systems of farming. Qualitas Planatarum - Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. Vol. 27. p. 113-123.

Schupman, W. 1975. Yield maximisation versus biological value. Qualitas Planatarum - Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. Vol. 24. p. 281-310.

Shier, N. W., et. al. 1984. A comparison of crude protein, moisture, ash and crop yield between organic and conventionally grown wheat. Nutrition Reports International. Vol. 30, No. 1. p. 71-77.

Nourishment Home Grown by Dr. A.F. Beddoe is based on the notion that a decline in American's health is due to poor food quality, which, in turn, is due to poor soil conditions. Beddoe promotes biological farming methods based on the theories of Dr. Carey Reams to raise foods with a "higher nutrient density." Beddoe's book is available through Agro-Bio Systems in Grass Valley, California for about $20.00. Contact:

Agro-Bio Systems
P.O. Box 1250
Grass Valley, CA 95945

Super Nutrition Gardening by Dr. William S. Peavy and Warren Peary lists numerous references to scientific and U.S.D.A. literature that support the relation of food nutrition to the condition of soils. Following sections on food nutrition, the remainder of the book focuses on organic gardening techniques, and in particular, an outline of a seven-step program for restoring soil fertility. Peavy and Peary's book is available for about $14.95 through:

Avery Publishing Group
120 Old Broadway
Garden City Park, NY 11040

A simple instrument commonly used in the produce industry that is gaining wider use among alternative farmers is the refractometer. It measures soluble solids and sugars of sap squeezed from fruits or vegetables on a scale known as degrees brix. A higher brix reading usually correlates to better taste and higher mineral content.

An alternative approach to measuring food quality is the use of novel methods of qualitative analysis. These methods are reviewed by Lampkin in Organic Farming. These include (a) image-forming techniques such as certain types of chromatography and water-droplet patterns, (b) physical-chemical techniques such as counting photon emissions from samples of food and measuring electrical conductivity and other electro-chemical properties of food, and (c) microbiological and biochemical techniques.

Chromatography Applied to Quality Testing is a 44-page handbook by Ehrenfried Pfeiffer on the paper chromatography method. Included are laboratory standards for preparation and extractions of samples. This method can be used to assess the quality of produce, grains, compost, and soil humus. To order, contact:

Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 550
Kimberton, PA 19442
(215) 935-7797

According to literature from the Elm Farm Research Centre in England, "the employment of these novel methods is an attempt to identify a characteristic of food other than the currently measurable components such as nutrients, vitamins, and residues. This characteristic, which could be called "vitality", is thought by some to be important to the health of all living organisms and can be passed on through the food chain."

The concept of "vital energy" is not very common to Western science. However, in the Orient, this vital or subtle energy is widely recognized and known as "prana" or "chi." At least two schools of alternative agriculture recognize such energy and try to enhance this life energy on the farm.

As an example, some of the farmers that follow fertility management guidelines established by Dr. Carey Reams use electrical scanners, or radionics instruments, to measure the "general vitality" of soil, plant, and animal samples. In turn, radionics instruments are then used to formulate feed and fertilizer programs.

Biodynamic agriculture is based on the premise that subtle energy forces affect the health of crop and livestock, and many biodynamic practices are aimed at enhancing this natural energy. In addition, certified biodynamic produce--marketed under the Demeter label--is promoted as food of high quality.