IMPROVING VEGETABLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS SUSTAINABILITY AND VEGETABLE QUALITY

Vegetables are a fundamental source of nutrients (minerals, vitamins, antioxidants) beneficial for our health and Pennsylvania vegetable production is of great importance to assure availability of fresh, high-quality and nutritious vegetables for the entire Northeastern U.S.Climate change, globalization, and environmental pollution pose new challenges for the long-term sustainability of the Pennsylvania vegetable industry and research is needed to continue assuring the production of good quality vegetables while preserving the environment and minimize the negative impact of climate change and globalization. A research program focusing on enhancing the long-term sustainability and the quality of PA vegetable crops will assure the continued availability of affordable fresh and safe highly nutritious vegetables while assuring that vegetables are produced using sustainable practices that are efficient and not detrimental for the environment and for human helath.