Mineral Fertilizer Use and the Environment International Fertilizer Industry Association United Nations Environment Programme

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12. Health
susceptible to nitrite under acid conditions.
(T.M. Addiscott, 1996 and M. Golden and
C. Leifert, 1997, C. Leifert et al. 1999).
Phosphate and potash have no known adverse
effect on human health. Both elements are an
important constituent of living organisms. Far
from potash intake having any harmful effect, it
may have a beneficial effect on human health in
reducing hypertension.
12.1.2. Product quality
Some claim that crops grown with “artificial
fertilizers” have less taste and are less healthy
than, for example, organically grown produce. In
fact, the plant does not distinguish between the
original source, mineral or organic, of its nutrients
- they are all taken up in the same chemical form.
However, according to a literature review by
K. Woese et al. (1995), conventionally produced
or fertilized vegetables may have a higher nitrate
content compared with organically produced or
unfertilized vegetables, especially those green and
root vegetables which are nitrophilic. Vegetables
of organic origin also tend to have a higher
content of dry matter. Regarding all other
parameters which determine nutritional values
and sensory assessment, they noted that
differences between the two systems were not
significant or that the results were contradictory
so that conclusions could not be drawn.
Over-fertilization should evidently be avoided
but correct fertilization can have a positive impact
on the quality of agricultural produce. For
example, the mineral, protein and vitamin
contents of crops may be improved if judicious
fertilization corrects a previously existing
inadequate level of nutrient availability. The
baking quality of wheat, the brewing quality of
barley and the colour, crispness and textural
character of various vegetable crops benefit from