This paper summarizes the results of the nitrate analyses from 2006 to 2014, which are collected annually as part of priority actions.

In 95 % of the 1,191 samples tested, the nitrate content was below the maximum levels applicable at the time the samples were taken. 16% of the samples of fresh spinach exceeded the maximum permissible content. The most frequent maximum level exceedances were at the beginning and end of the harvest season (April and September). Frozen spinach, on the other hand, had significantly lower nitrate levels. Lettuce from protected cultivation had significantly higher nitrate levels than lettuce from open field cultivation. In 67% of lettuce from open field cultivation, the nitrate content reached at most half of the maximum level, while only 40% of lettuce from protected cultivation was below 50% of the maximum level. For iceberg lettuce, the percentages were 73% for field-grown and 56% for protected cultivation. In lettuce and spinach from organic cultivation, the nitrate levels were significantly lower than in the samples from conventional cultivation. Trend analysis showed a statistically significant increase for iceberg lettuce from protected cultivation, whereas the nitrate content of lettuce from protected cultivation became significantly lower. The nitrate content of frozen spinach also decreased significantly from 2006 to 2014.

J. LÜCKL, E. SCHIRGI, U. ALDRIAN, L. STADLMÜLLER