Novel method for cultivating beetroot reduces nitrate content

A plethora of research studies show that beetroot is a rich source of alkaline minerals and promising bioactive substances with positive health benefits. In contrast, beetroot is also well known for its high nitrate content, which is linked to adverse health effects. The process of cultivating beetroot was modified to include fertilization with biochar that contained elevated levels of sodium salt (antagonists of potassium). The obtained data indicates that the biochar in combination with sodium led to the transformation of mineral nitrogen into soil organic matter, thereby reducing the nitrate content in the beetroot. This finding has a significant economic impact because it allows raw beetroot intake to increase, or respectively postpones the negative health implications associated with nitrate intake. In addition to increased yields (by 2.4 t ha(-1)), it was confirm ed that biochar has the potential to increase the water retention capacity of the topsoil. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.