The impact of conventional, integrated and organic vegetable production on soil fertility and vegetable quality in Vietnam - A comparative investigation

In Vietnam, the dominant conventional vegetable production potentially increases soil, ground water and food pollution problems as a consequence of over use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in the last decade.

The increase of integrated and organic vegetable cultivation might be an adequate strategy to meet high food quality and environmental requirements. Previous field trials mainly concentrated on the effect of the conventional and integrated vegetable cultivation on yield and food quality rather than on soil quality and fertility. Besides, there are only few investigations on the effect of the organic vegetable cultivation on food quality and soil fertility.

Therefore, this research will be conducted to evaluate the effects of 3 types of vegetable cultivation (conventional, integrated, and organic) on soil physical and chemical properties as well as vegetable quality in Vietnam.

For each of the three cultivation types, 15 independent soil samples subdivided into two depths (total of 90 samples) for analysis of bulk density, pH_KCl, pH_H2O, total P, plant available P, total K, plant available K, total N, NH₄⁺, NO₃^-, C_org, CEC, Pb, Cd and plant available micronutrients. For each of the cultivation types, 15 independent vegetable samples are taken (total of 45 plant samples) for analysis of NO₃^-, total N, other macro- and micronutrients, Pb, Cd and pesticide residues.

This project will provide evidence to help farmers understanding the effect of organic vegetable production on food quality and soil fertility in comparison with the conventional and integrated vegetable production. Besides, the results will not only improve consumers’ knowledge, but also encourage them using products beneficial for their health and environment purpose. Finally, the research will also be a good document for policy makers to develop organic agricultural sector in Vietnam in near future.