April 2023 - 23

FOOD SAFETY
Researchers use Arabidopsis, a small flowering
plant in the mustard (Brassicaceae) family, which
includes cabbage and radishes, as a model plant. The
scientists also use tomatoes for modeling and are
collaborating with other researchers studying citrus
and sugarcane.
Other applications
The UC-Davis scientists use lettuce because many
genetic resources are available for the crop, as
well as the safety concern. However, the scientific
discoveries can be applied to other leafy vegetables.
" Spinach and other vegetables have also been
associated with disease outbreaks, " Melotto said.
" Similar research could be conducted with these
crops; however, funding to study and test these crops
has been limited. Thus, we prioritize our efforts to
study lettuce due to its economic impact. "
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Joseph Student, a UC-Davis, grad student, views
contaminated tissue under the microscope. The
research is part of a study examining lettuce resistant
to E. coli and other potentially deadly bacteria.
Uniform Penetration
and Lateral Movement
of Applied Water
Lettuce " sweats " substances onto the surface
of leaves that E. coli and other bacteria consume.
The bacteria can reside just below the surface of
lettuce leaves. In another study, Melotto and other
researchers are examining how bacteria lives in
those tiny spaces by studying the natural chemicals
that occupy the crevices and the compounds lettuce
releases onto those surfaces.
" Some lettuce types release nutrients that can
feed the bacteria, allowing them to grow on the leaf
surface and inside the leaves, " Melotto said. " These
are the spaces where the bacterial cells live and
escape from sanitation. We are trying to identify
plant metabolites that support bacterial growth.
Identifying these nutrients is important to understand
why some lettuce types are more prone to bacterial
contamination than others. "
Tony Alameda, of Top Flavor Farms in San Juan
Bautista, California, is an advisory board member of the
California Leafy Green Marketing Agreement (LGMA).
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and Nutrient Uptake
 ENHANCES Initial Wetting and
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Integrate is a registered trademark of Belchim Crop Protection USA, LLC.
225 Wilmington West Chester Pike | Suite 200
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info.usa@belchim.com
VEGETABLEGROWERSNEWS.COM | 23

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April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2023