California’s Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys continue to experience a cycle of several warm days, followed by cool, damp days. Currently, the forecast calls for minor heat wave conditions through mid-week, with temperatures in the low 80°s near the coast and as high as 102° further inland. A low-pressure system arrives on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 17, cooling temperatures down and bringing a chance for sporadic showers through the end of the week. Less than .30” of rain is expected in most areas, but growers will be packing orders ahead of the storm as a precaution and will take care to keep boxes as clean and dry as possible.

Markon inspectors will continue to closely monitor row crop vegetable supplies for the effects of recent erratic weather. Intermittent quality and shelf-life challenges are expected through the rest of the Salinas season. Current and upcoming challenges include, but are not limited to:

• Bolting/seeder
• Bottom rot/decay
• Bruising/soft texture in strawberries
• Dehydration/wilting
• Discoloration/yellowing leaves, particularly in baby leaf items that are sensitive to rapid temperature fluctuations
• Growth cracks
• Hollow core and pin rot in broccoli
• Inconsistent plant growth
• Increased disease/plant virus pressure
• Increased insect pressure
  • Aphids
  • Diamondback moths
  • Thrips
• Internal burn/tip burn
• Premature pinking in commodity and value-added lettuce items
• Shortened shelf-life in commodity and value-added lettuce and tender leaf items

As always, cold chain management throughout the supply chain is critical for maximizing the quality and shelf-life of perishable produce items.

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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