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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #369135
Research Project: Genetics and Breeding of Lettuce, Spinach, Melon, and Related Species to Improve Production and Consumer-related Traits

Location: Crop Improvement and Protection Research

Title: Lettuce and spinach breeding

Author
item Simko, Ivan
item McCreight, James - Jim
item Mou, Beiquan
item Richardson, Kelley

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/8/2019
Publication Date: 10/8/2019
Citation: Simko, I., McCreight, J.D., Mou, B., Richardson, K.L. 2019. Lettuce and spinach breeding. California Leafy Greens Research Program Mid-Year Meeting, October 8, 2019, Salinas, California.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Lettuce and spinach production is beset by numerous biotic an abiotic challenges, thus the leafy-vegetable industry of California requires continued development of improved, adapted cultivars to meet new disease and insect problems, changes in the market, and changes in growing procedures. The lettuce and spinach breeding and genetics projects aim to incorporate valuable traits into lettuce, and spinach cultivars and breeding lines that are adapted to coastal California and low desert production conditions. In parallel, we develop information and tools to increase the utility of our germplasm. This report to the California Leafy Greens Research Program annual meeting provides an update on host plant resistance research effort that includes resistance to corky root, Fusarium wilt, leafminer, lettuce aphid, lettuce drop, tipburn, Verticillium wilt, bacterial leaf spot, and downy mildew of lettuce, resistance to downy mildew, herbicide, and leafminer of spinach, and the detection of spinach and lettuce downy mildew.