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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Food Quality Laboratory » Research » Research Project #428843
Research Project: Sustaining the Supply of High Quality Lettuce in Changing Technological and Climatic Environments

Location: Food Quality Laboratory

Project Number: 8042-43440-006-001-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jan 1, 2016
End Date: Aug 31, 2020

Objective:
The ARS objectives are to 1) Evaluate quality and shelf life of lettuce varieties for fresh market; and 2) Assess the performance of lettuce varieties for fresh-cut processing. This research is directly related to Objective 2 of ARS Project Plan 8042-43440-004-00D, "Evaluation of Flavor, Nutritional and Other Quality Attributes of Fresh and Fresh-Cut Produce through Use of Analytical and Sensory Methods." The Cooperators have the expertise and infrastructure to breed new varieties with improved storage stability and browning resistance.

Approach:
ARS will perform food quality portion of the research. Parameter tested will include browning, color, texture, flavor, and decay development during storage. The Cooperators will develop new lettuce varieties and perform field studies.