Harvesting and processing of leafy greens inherently cause plant tissue damage, creating niches on leaves that human pathogens can exploit. We previously demonstrated that Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EcO157) multiplies more rapidly on shredded leaves than on intact leaves (M. T. Brandl, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 74:5285-5289, 2008). To investigate how EcO157 cells adapt to physicochemical conditi...

Low and high tunnels and root-zone heating systems are proven tools in horticultural production. However, impacts of their separate and combined application on crop yield, composition, and microclimates are underreported. We addressed these gaps in the literature by exposing lettuce (Lactuca sativa) to four microclimates established with low and high tunnels and root-zone heating during the spr...

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacterial pathogen and the causative agent of an infectious disease, listeriosis. L. monocytogenes is ubiquitous in nature and has the ability to persist in food processing environments for extended periods of time by forming biofilms and resisting industrial sanitization. Human listeriosis outbreaks are commonly linked to contaminated dairy products, ready...

Leafminer (Liriomyza langei Frick) is a major pest that causes considerable damage to a wide variety of vegetable crops including lettuce, and resistant cultivars remain the most economic means of insect control. Eighty-four lettuce cultivars and introduction lines were grown in an insect cage with eight replications for resistance screening. Leafminer flies were released in the cage to feed on...

Abstract In general, adaptation of cover cropping in crop rotation practices to organic tunnels by methods supporting soil health and quality has not yet been fully optimized. Effect field pea pea-oat crops physicochemical properties cash was assessed an high tunnel southern Poland 2016–2017, with the following planting sequence: spring crops/tomato/romaine lettuce/green bean/iceberg lettuce. T...