Changes in USDA Food Composition Data for 43 Garden Crops, 1950 to 1999
Key Points
This research examines changes in nutrient content of garden crops from 1950 to 1999, focusing on the impact of cultivated varieties.
Analysis of USDA food composition data for 43 garden crops.
Comparison of nutrient content and yield over the specified period.
Consideration of the role of cultivated varieties in nutrient declines.
Identified real declines in nutrient content for some crops.
Trade-offs observed between higher yields and lower nutrient values.
Changes attributed to the cultivation of different crop varieties over time.
Abstract
We suggest that any real declines are generally most easily explained by changes in cultivated varieties between 1950 and 1999, in which there may be trade-offs between yield and nutrient content.