Research & reports

Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.

103 results(5 / 5)

• Metals in urban gardens ‐ effect of lime and sludge

  1995

  James R. Preer, Ahmed N. Abdi, Harkewal S. Sekhon, George B. Murchison · Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A Environmental Science and Engineering and Toxicology · Global

  This study investigated cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in vegetables grown in community gardens on different urban soils. Vegetables from a low-pH urban soil without contamination history showed higher Cd and Zn levels than those from a reclaimed landfill with digested sewage sludge, and also higher than a low-metal, neutral-pH site. Liming on the low-pH site reduced Cd and Zn concentrations in beet, lettuce, radish, and Swiss chard leaves, reaching background levels after four years. The findings indicate that soil pH is more important than total soil Cd and Zn in determining vegetable metal availability.

  Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunityOrganic cycle
  Read source →DOI: 10.1080/10934529509376320

• Bestimmung des Gehaltes ausgewählter Lebensmittel an Blei, Cadmium, Kupfer, Zink und Eisen

  1988

  M. Krelowska‐Kulas · Food / Nahrung · Poland (Kraków)

  An investigation using atomic absorption spectroscopy in Kraków, Poland, found that vegetables from urban allotment gardens had average levels of lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, and iron several times higher than control samples from farms 100 km away. In some cases, maximum levels of certain elements approached the admissible limit. However, average levels of lead and cadmium in pigs and cattle showed no reason for objection.

  Contamination & food safetyHealthCommunity
  Read source →DOI: 10.1002/food.19880320703

• A study of common crop pests in allotment gardens around Leeds

  1979

  Howard J. Atkinson, Naomi Gibson, Harry C. Evans · Plant Pathology · United Kingdom (Leeds)

  A survey of 140 growers across 12 allotment sites around Leeds, UK, identified a wide range of crop pests, with brassicas, potatoes, and carrots being more frequently damaged. Soil samples from 33 plots at 10 established sites and 6 plots at 2 new sites revealed potentially damaging levels of pale potato cyst nematode in 21 and 1 plots, respectively. Widespread overwintering populations of carrot fly larvae and pupae were also found in soil samples from eight sites.

  Contamination & food safetyCommunityBiodiversityHealth
  Read source →DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.1979.tb01122.x