Abstract Diverse vegetable production systems are an essential part of European food production. Nitrogen (N) fertiliser and commonly irrigation are integral to European vegetable cropping. Applications of N and irrigation are generally based on the experience of growers and technical advisors. Commonly, applications of both exceed crop requirements causing nitrate (NO3−) leaching. This can result in NO3− contamination of underlying aquifers, which can also contribute to eutrophication of natural surface water bodies. Various agronomic characteristics of vegetable crops such as shallow roots, low density planting and multiple cropping exacerbate the risk of NO3− leaching. Because of health and environmental concerns related to NO3− contaminated groundwater and eutrophication, there is appreciable and increasing societal pressure to reduce these environmental impacts. Additionally, there is increasing societal pressure to reduce emissions of phosphorus and plant protection products to water bodies. The European Union (EU) has passed several Directives to reduce contamination of water bodies from agriculture. Member States of the EU are required to comply and implement these legislations. European consumers are increasingly concerned that their food is produced with minimal environmental impact. Product certification schemes, with requirements or recommendation for N and irrigation management, are required in order to sell vegetables through many European supermarket chains. Because of legislative and consumer pressure, European vegetable growers will increasingly need to adopt science-based management approaches to reduce contamination of water bodies from their farming operations. The virtual Special Issue “Reducing contamination of water bodies from European vegetable production systems” consists of eight review papers that revise the options available to European vegetable growers. The issues facing particular European vegetable production systems are also addressed.

中文翻译：

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减少欧洲蔬菜生产系统对水体的污染

摘要 多样化的蔬菜生产系统是欧洲食品生产的重要组成部分。氮 (N) 肥料和通常的灌溉是欧洲蔬菜种植不可或缺的一部分。N 和灌溉的应用通常基于种植者和技术顾问的经验。通常，两者的应用都超过了作物需求，导致硝酸盐 (NO3−) 浸出。这可能导致下伏含水层的 NO3− 污染，这也可能导致天然地表水体的富营养化。蔬菜作物的各种农艺特征，如浅根、低密度种植和复种，加剧了 NO3− 浸出的风险。由于与 NO3− 污染的地下水和富营养化相关的健康和环境问题，减少这些环境影响的社会压力越来越大。此外，减少向水体排放磷和植物保护产品的社会压力越来越大。欧盟 (EU) 已通过多项指令以减少农业对水体的污染。欧盟成员国必须遵守和实施这些立法。欧洲消费者越来越担心他们的食品是在对环境影响最小的情况下生产的。为了通过许多欧洲连锁超市销售蔬菜，需要产品认证计划，对氮和灌溉管理提出要求或建议。由于立法和消费者的压力，欧洲蔬菜种植者将越来越需要采用以科学为基础的管理方法，以减少其农业作业对水体的污染。虚拟特刊“减少欧洲蔬菜生产系统对水体的污染”由八篇评论论文组成，这些论文修改了欧洲蔬菜种植者可用的选项。还解决了特定欧洲蔬菜生产系统面临的问题。