Can optimum yield and quality of vegetables be reconciled with low residual soil mineral nitrogen at harvest

•Low residual soil mineral N (RSMN) is realistic for vegetables, except cauliflower.•For most vegetables, RSMN rises sharply at higher crop available N after breakpoint.•Vegetable quality parameter scores were only low for un- and underfertilised plots.•N fertiliser rates should be based on marketable yield.•N fertiliser rates can be reduced for some vegetables without economic loss.