Reducing contamination of water bodies from European vegetable production systems

Diverse vegetable production systems are an essential part of European food production. Nitrogen (N) fertiliser and commonly irrigation are integral to European vegetable cropping. Applications of N and irrigation are generally based on the experience of growers and technical advisors. Commonly, applications of both exceed crop requirements causing nitrate (NO₃⁻) leaching. This can result in NO₃⁻ contamination of underlying aquifers, which can also contribute to eutrophication of natural surface water bodies. Various agronomic characteristics of vegetable crops such as shallow roots, low density planting and multiple cropping exacerbate the risk of NO₃⁻ leaching. Because of health and environmental concerns related to NO₃⁻ contaminated groundwater and eutrophication, there is appreciable and increasing societal pressure to reduce these environmental impacts. Additionally, there is increasing societal pressure to reduce emissions of phosphorus and plant protection products to water bodies. The European Union (EU) has passed several Directives to reduce contamination of water bodies from agriculture. Member States of the EU are required to comply and implement these legislations. European consumers are increasingly concerned that their food is produced with minimal environmental impact. Product certification schemes, with requirements or recommendation for N and irrigation management, are required in order to sell vegetables through many European supermarket chains. Because of legislative and consumer pressure, European vegetable growers will increasingly need to adopt science-based management approaches to reduce contamination of water bodies from their farming operations. The virtual Special Issue “Reducing contamination of water bodies from European vegetable production systems” consists of eight review papers that revise the options available to European vegetable growers. The issues facing particular European vegetable production systems are also addressed.