Postharvest Quality and Microbial Population of Head Lettuce as Affected by Moisture at Harvest

Iceberg lettuce was evaluated for yield, microbial population, and postharvest quality either following different irrigation termination (IT) schedules or before and after a rainfall event. Lettuce receiving late (4 d before harvest) IT showed increased weight and diameter, higher aerobic bacteria counts, and lower quality than plants subjected to early (16 d before harvest) IT. Middle (8 d before harvest) IT produced similar yields, and lower microbial population in lettuce than late IT. After rain, microbial population increased by 1.5 and 3.0 log colony-forming units (CFU)/g in outer and head leaves respectively. The results revealed the importance of managing moisture conditions at harvest to enhance overall quality of lettuce.

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