New Lettuce Lines Offer Improved Disease and Pest Resistance

The American Society for Horticultural Science published a study by USDA Agricultural Research Service on its development of new breeding lines of lettuce. Dr. Beiquan Mou, a Research Geneticist with the USDA-ARS in Salinas, California, developed lines of green leaf, red leaf, and romaine lettuce with remarkable resistance to leafminer, corky root, and downy mildew. The ability to control these damaging diseases and pests without chemicals, and without loss of yield or quality, is a significant benefit to producers. The researchers are offering seed samples for further research, including development and commercialization of new cultivars.