Desert weather causing lettuce quality problems

Markon Cooperative BB #:123315 From the Field Report

February 28, 2022 — The Arizona/California desert region continues to experience inconsistent weather. The current forecast calls for a warming trend through Wednesday, March 2 with temperatures in upper 70°s to low 90°s.

Temperatures will start to cool down again Thursday, March 3 through the middle of next week. Cold, gusty winds will return March 8 and March 9 followed by more widespread lettuce ice on March 10.

Due to the last several weeks of volatile weather, Markon inspectors are currently seeing heat and freeze-related quality challenges simultaneously in desert lettuce crops.

Many of the following issues will persist through the end of the desert season:

• Epidermal blistering/epidermal peeling
• Growth cracks
• Increased insect pressure
• Mildew pressure
• Rib blight
• Shortened shelf-life

Markon inspectors will be monitoring quality and will continue to update as needed.