Davis, California
December 12, 2007
A study of organic and
conventionally grown processing tomatoes by a team of
researchers at the University
of California, Davis, indicated that, on the four
participating commercial farms, organically produced tomatoes
were higher in sugars and other soluble solids, consistency and
acidity, all of which are desirable attributes in processing
tomatoes. The organically grown tomatoes were lower, however, in
red color, vitamin C and certain healthful compounds known as
phenolics.
Results from the study, which appear in the November-December
issue of the
Journal of Food Science, varied significantly among the
growers, perhaps due to differences in soil type, soil
nutrients, tomato varieties, environmental conditions and
production methods.
"It is important to evaluate successful production systems in a
realistic environment," said lead researcher Diane Barrett, a
Cooperative Extension food scientist at UC Davis. "But it is
often not possible to control all variables when a study is
conducted as part of a commercial farming operation.
"Because there were only four growers involved in the study and
because there were differences in growing practices between the
four growers, we aren't able to make global statements about the
comparative quality and nutritional value of organically grown
and conventionally grown processing tomatoes," Barrett said.
She noted, however, that the study did underscore how critically
important the plant genetics, soil nutrients, irrigation system
and production inputs are in determining the quality of the
fruit produced.
The researchers hope that future studies will include a larger
number of commercial growers, so that the resulting data will
yield more statistically valid conclusions about the global
differences between organic and conventionally grown tomatoes.
They also hope to correlate their findings from studies
conducted as part of commercial operations with findings from
studies carried out on university research plots, where
production methods can be better controlled.
The four commercial farms participating in the study were
experienced in using both organic and conventional methods to
grow processing tomatoes. The farms were operated by Harris
Farms Inc., Terranova Ranch Inc. and O'Neill Farming Co. Inc,
all of Fresno County; and D.A. Rominger and Sons Inc. of Yolo
County.
This study was supported by Small Planet Foods. |
|
