Novel Bactericides for the Management of Soft Rots of Leafy Salads

Bagged salads are a relatively new and rapidly growing (7% p.a.) category for the UK’s multiple retailers, with product development and innovation central to success. The industry, however, is hampered by short shelf life and bacterial rots, causing losses throughout the supply chain, losses on farm, factory waste and waste in the home. The UK’s major retailers have identified a compelling need to develop a solution to this problem.
The applicant has developed an innovative technology, based on novel, naturally-occurring, highly specific agents and recently produced a highly effective bactericide based on this technology targeting bacterial potato pathogens. This study will isolate bacteria colonising salad leaves, focusing on the causative bacteria for soft rots and match the applicant’s technology against these. The aim would be progression to a larger scale project, developing effective, safe salad bactericides.