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Thesis
Farming Systems Trial: Nutrient Analysis of Organic Versus Conventional Oats
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2016
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6816
Abstract
Nutrient density of food is thought to be decreasing due to a decrease in bioavailability of nutrients in the soil. Literature suggests that the better the soil quality in which food is grown in, the higher the nutrient density of the plants grown in that soil will be. Organic soil typically has a higher soil quality. Since the 1990's, consumer demand for organic products has been expanding by double digits almost every year. With such an increase in consumer demand, the objective of this study was to identify if organic agricultural practices produce a more nutrient dense food product. For the last 35 years, Rodale Institute has been conducting a side-by-side analysis of organically versus conventionally grown grains in their Farming Systems Trial (FST). A tremendous amount of data on yields, profit, energy input, and greenhouse gases has been collected over time, but little has been done to determine the nutritive quality of grains from this trial. The nutrient research examined the nutrient density, measured as protein, mineral, vitamin and polyphenolic content, in oats grown organically or conventionally in FST and correlate them to soil health factors such as soil minerals, total C, N, H, and S ratios, biological activity, organic matter and soil aggregation. Key findings of this nutrient research have assessed that the nitrogen content of legume organic till and no-till, and conventional till oats contain the greatest concentration of nitrogen (P < 0.0001). It was also found that legume organic till and no-till oats contained the greatest concentration of total and crude protein (Legume till = Crude Protein 11.12 g / 100 g, Total 10.07 g/100 g; Legume no-till = Crude Protein 11.10g / 100 g, Total 9.97 g/100 g) (P < 0.05).
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Details
- Title
- Farming Systems Trial
- Creators
- Marisa H. Wagner - DU
- Contributors
- Brandy-Joe Milliron (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Nutrition Sciences; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6816; 991014632527004721