NIFA-BARD Collaborative: Mechanisms of Salmonella adaptation to the lettuce phyllosphere

The goal of this study is to evaluate the risk associated with colonization of the plant with Salmonella and to provide the scientific basis required to reduce plant's colonization by this pathogen through characterization of the molecular and physiological mechanisms that enable Salmonella to colonize vegetable crops. The specific objectives of the project are to: 1) Examine colonization efficiency of lettuce by outbreak-associated Salmonella serovars (OASS) 2) Evaluate the natural variations in colonization of various lettuce cultivars by Salmonella.3) Elucidate the mechanism(s) of Salmonella persistence inside the leaf.