Key message We demonstrate genetic variation for quantitative resistance against important fungal pathogens in lettuce and its wild relatives, map loci conferring resistance and predict key molecular mechanisms using transcriptome profiling. Abstract Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce) is an important leafy vegetable crop grown and consumed globally. Chemicals are routinely used to control major pathogens, including the causal agents...

Key message A unique, global onion diversity set was assembled, genotyped and phenotyped for beneficial traits. Accessions with strong basal rot resistance and increased seedling vigour were identified along with associated markers. Abstract Conserving biodiversity is critical for safeguarding future crop production. Onion ( Allium cepa L.) is a globally important crop with a very large (16 Gb per 1C) genome which has not been...

Lettuce discolouration is a key post-harvest trait. The major enzyme controlling oxidative discolouration has long been considered to be polyphenol oxidase (PPO) however, levels of PPO and subsequent development of discolouration symptoms have not always correlated. The predominance of a latent state of the enzyme in plant tissues combined with substrate activation and contemporaneous suicide inactivation mechanisms are consid...

Summary Much research into food‐borne human pathogens has focused on transmission from foods of animal origin. However, recent investigations have identified fruits and vegetables are the source of many disease outbreaks. Now believed to be a much larger contributor to produce‐associated outbreaks than previously reported, norovirus outbreaks are commonly caused by contamination of foods from hands of infected workers. Althoug...