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Irrigation Water Quality for Leafy Crops: A Perspective of Risks and Potential Solutions

Author

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  • Ana Allende

    (Research Group on Quality, Safety and Bioactivity of Plant Foods, Department of Food Science and Technology, CEBAS-CSIC, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain)

  • James Monaghan

    (Fresh Produce Research Centre, Department of Crop and Environment Sciences, Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB, UK)

Abstract

There is increasing evidence of the contribution of irrigation water in the contamination of produce leading to subsequent outbreaks of foodborne illness. This is a particular risk in the production of leafy vegetables that will be eaten raw without cooking. Retailers selling leafy vegetables are increasingly targeting zero-risk production systems and the associated requirements for irrigation water quality have become more stringent in regulations and quality assurance schemes (QAS) followed by growers. Growers can identify water sources that are contaminated with potential pathogens through a monitoring regime and only use water free of pathogens, but the low prevalence of pathogens makes the use of faecal indicators, particularly E. coli , a more practical approach. Where growers have to utilise water sources of moderate quality, they can reduce the risk of contamination of the edible portion of the crop ( i.e. , the leaves) by treating irrigation water before use through physical or chemical disinfection systems, or avoid contact between the leaves and irrigation water through the use of drip or furrow irrigation, or the use of hydroponic growing systems. This study gives an overview of the main problems in the production of leafy vegetables associated with irrigation water, including microbial risk and difficulties in water monitoring, compliance with evolving regulations and quality standards, and summarises the current alternatives available for growers to reduce microbial risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Allende & James Monaghan, 2015. "Irrigation Water Quality for Leafy Crops: A Perspective of Risks and Potential Solutions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-21, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:7:p:7457-7477:d:52084
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pedrero, Francisco & Kalavrouziotis, Ioannis & Alarcón, Juan José & Koukoulakis, Prodromos & Asano, Takashi, 2010. "Use of treated municipal wastewater in irrigated agriculture--Review of some practices in Spain and Greece," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(9), pages 1233-1241, September.
    2. Raudales, Rosa E. & Parke, Jennifer L. & Guy, Charles L. & Fisher, Paul R., 2014. "Control of waterborne microbes in irrigation: A review," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 9-28.
    3. Jan Mei Soon & Richard N. Baines, 2013. "Public and Private Food Safety Standards: Facilitating or Frustrating Fresh Produce Growers?," Laws, MDPI, vol. 2(1), pages 1-19, January.
    4. Fulponi, Linda, 2006. "Private voluntary standards in the food system: The perspective of major food retailers in OECD countries," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 1-13, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tashiana Beharielal & Joyce Thamaga-Chitja & Stefan Schmidt, 2022. "Socioeconomic Characteristics Associated with Farming Practices, Food Safety and Security in the Production of Fresh Produce—A Case Study including Small-Scale Farmers in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Mieke Uyttendaele & Eelco Franz & Oliver Schlüter, 2015. "Food Safety, a Global Challenge," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-6, December.
    3. Pholosho Mmmateko Kgopa & Phatu William Mashela & Alen Manyevere, 2021. "Microbial Quality of Treated Wastewater and Borehole Water Used for Irrigation in a Semi-Arid Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-12, August.
    4. Yatao Xiao & Chaoxiang Sun & Dezhe Wang & Huiqin Li & Wei Guo, 2023. "Analysis of Hotspots in Subsurface Drip Irrigation Research Using CiteSpace," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-18, July.
    5. Chidozie Declan Iwu & Anthony Ifeanyi Okoh, 2019. "Preharvest Transmission Routes of Fresh Produce Associated Bacterial Pathogens with Outbreak Potentials: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-34, November.

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