Nitrogen recommendations for baby leaf salad crops

This factsheet reports on work that was undertaken to improve recommendations for fertiliser use in wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) and baby leaf spinach (Spinacia oleracea). It was written to help growers to reduce nitrate levels in the corp at harvest. EU legislation stipulates nitrate limits for fresh produce and growers need to ensure nitrogen (N) applications do not cause crops to exceed these limits.  It covers - 

• Nitrate as a contaminant in leafy salad crops
• Environmental factors influencing nitrate levels in leafy salads
• Fertiliser recommendations for leafy salad crops

This information was last updated in 2013.