Press Release
After a brief heat wave throughout California’s Salinas Valley growing region, some fields and varieties are developing heat-related challenges, primarily on lettuce and tender leaf items. Markon (Cooperative of Salinas, CA) inspectors are observing quality challenges such as:
- Dehydration/wilting
- Growth cracks
- Increased insect pressure
- Internal burn/tip burn
- Discoloration/yellowing leaves
- Shortened shelf-life
- Two significant heat spikes were recorded in mid- and late May. The warm, dry conditions have been ideal for insects such as thrips to flourish.
- Thrip insects commonly cause orange speckled blemishes on various lettuce crops. If infected with INSV, they will spread the disease to the plants they feed on.
- Infected plants will develop necrotic lesions throughout the leaves that will make the heads unmarketable. Fields that are severely impacted by INSV can see dramatic yield loss.
- Currently, the presence of INSV is not widespread, but combined with other soil diseases such as sclerotinia and fusarium wilt, some growers’ yields are falling.
- Markon inspectors will continue to work closely with suppliers, evaluating commodity and value-added items while working to minimize heat-related challenges.
- As always, cold chain management throughout the supply chain is critical for maximizing the quality and shelf-life of perishable produce items.
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