2.2. Sampling and analysis
Samples of lady’s finger (September and October), cauliflower (November to
February) and palak (November, January and March) were collected (40–45, 50–
60 and 70–80 days after seed sowing of palak, cauliflower and lady’s finger, respectively)
during their growing seasons from three fields of each production site and
simultaneously from three outlets of each market site (2 kg each for palak and lady’s
finger, and one intact inflorescence head of cauliflower), respectively, in predistilled
water-washed polyethylene bags. The samples of each vegetable were of the
same size and age group. The samples were immediately brought back to the laboratory,
and uneatable portions of the vegetables were removed and the edible portion