ISHS Acta Horticulturae 747: VIII International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates: Advances in Soil and Soilless Cultivation under Protected Environment
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MARKET-ORIENTED VEGETABLE PRODUCTION UNDER PROTECTED CULTIVATION |
| Author: | W.H. Schnitzler |
| Keywords: | quality, marketing, consumer, Integrated Crop Management (ICM) |
| Abstract:
Vegetable production is increasingly associated with environmental burdens. Water is becoming an overexploited resource with competition between human consumption and plant production. The ECOPONICS growing system is an innovative tool for the production of superior vegetable quality with hydroponics technology under protected cultivation. Biotic and abiotic stress conditions often influence optimum plant growth. New research findings on plant beneficial micro organisms (PBMO) in the rhizosphere with special emphasis on Bacillus subtilis offer a reduction of agrochemicals to prevent or to moderate severe stressing situations on cultivated plants, to improve growers’ income and to reduce environmental risks. The impact of vegetable production on local conditions needs to be assessed by combining economic rules with ecological needs. Today, consumers, markets and the trade expect that vegetables are produced under appropriate process technology best quality. The goal is sustainable vegetable production with Integrated Crop Management (ICM). Market-oriented vegetable production can only stay profitable by implementation of quality in domestic and export markets. Various attributes are attached to quality expectations, such as eating pleasure, health merits and toxicological safety. Product information has to become an integrated part of vegetable promotion with procedures for accreditation of quality labels in support of growers’ income and increase of vegetable consumption. | |
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