Microbiological Quality of Organic and Conventional Leafy Vegetables
Table 1
Summary of the characteristics of the two evaluated farms.
Location
Fertilization
Water source
Irrigation system
Irrigation system
Farm of organic cultivation
Manual with manure composting
Well water (groundwater)
Microirrigation (drip and microspray)
Applies the water through small emitter to the soil surface; drip irrigation allows the water to drip slowly to the roots of plants minimizing the water evaporation; microspray applies water to the soil surface by a small spray or mist
Farm of conventional cultivation
Manual with manure
River water (surface water)
Sprinklers
Sprinkler irrigation is a method similar to natural rainfall; water is delivered through a pressurized pipe network to sprinklers which spray the water into the air