The effect of nutrition management (inorganic and organic) on nitrate content, storability and postharvest quality of fresh-cut celery (Apium graveolens L.)

Todays, most of vegetables are produced conventionally worldwide. Abundant use of chemical inputs in the production of vegetables and quick supply of these products to market (regardless of required time to reduce or decompose of chemical substances) reveals the necessity of proper nutrition management in cropping system more than ever before. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of nutrition management on the accumulation of nitrate and other quality parameters in celery. Treatments were included of mineral (urea with amounts of 300, 423, 700 and ammonium nitrate with amount of 560 Kg/ha) and organic (vermicompost 20 Kg/7.8m2 and compost 10 Kg/7.8m2 in combination with inoculum of biological fungus Trichoderma). After harvest, crop yield per unit area, number of stalks in a bunch of celery, plant height, minerals (sodium, potassium and phosphorus) and nitrate concentration was measured and after maintenance of fresh-cut celery in cold storage at ±1 °C for 4 weeks, some of quality parameters (weight loss, vitamin C, total soluble solids and total titratable acidity) were evaluated every week. Results showed that in organic treatments content of minerals, vitamin C, total soluble solids were more, but the yield, number of stalks in a bunch of celery, nitrate and weight loss were less than mineral treatments. Although organic treatments reduce the economic value of the product, but could lead to better tasting, safety and acceptance of the product by the consumers.