Summary
This paper by Charles Benbrook, published in HortScience in 2009, reviews the relationship between crop yield and nutritional quality, arguing that the pursuit of high yields in conventional horticulture may come at the cost of reduced nutrient density — a phenomenon sometimes termed the 'dilution effect'. Drawing on lessons from organic farming research, the paper suggests that lower-input, organically managed systems may better preserve or enhance concentrations of health-relevant compounds in produce. The work contributes to a broader scientific debate about whether modern yield-oriented breeding and agronomy have compromised the nutritional value of fresh produce.
UK applicability
Although the paper is international in scope, its arguments are directly relevant to UK horticultural policy and food quality debates, particularly in the context of the National Food Strategy and discussions around reforming agricultural support to reward nutritional outcomes alongside productivity.
Key measures
Nutrient concentration (vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients); crop yield; comparison of organic versus conventional production systems
Outcomes reported
The paper examines how increasing crop yields, particularly under conventional high-input systems, may dilute concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables. It draws on evidence from organic farming research to illustrate how lower-yield, reduced-input systems may produce crops with higher nutrient density.
Topic tags
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