The breeding lines can be used for different markets or breeding programs based on their performance. Five out of six iceberg lines (SMI3-Il, SM13-I2, SMI3-I3, SM13-I4, and SM13-I5)are suitable for salad blend and whole head markets. Though SMI3-I2 and SMI3-I3 exhibited more rapid decay of whole heads than the overall average, their rates of decay are expected to be acceptable for commercial production. RH08-0lll is not cceptable for commercial production of whole heads because of its small, soft heads that do not conform to the standard for modern iceberg cultivars. However, the line can be used in iceberg breeding programs as a donor of alleles for resistance to downy mildew, bacterial leaf spot, and Verticillium wilt race I. Two romaine breeding lines (SM13-R2 and SM13-R3) are suitable for salad blend, spring mix, and the whole head production. Romaine breeding line SM13-Rl cannot be used for fresh-cut products, because it decays rapidly after processing, but it is suitable for whole head market. An important trait of these three breeding lines is their resistance to dieback, because most of the currently grown romaine cultivars are susceptible to this disease. Romaine breeding line RHO8-0464 has improved field resistance to downy mildew inherited from cv. Balady Banha. RHO8-0464 can be used in breeding programs, but is not suitable for commercial production.
All six leaf-lettuce breeding lines are acceptable for commercial production of salad blend, and spring mix. SM13-Ll, SM13-L2, and SM13-L6 could also be used for whole head production. SM13-LI to SMI3-L5 demonstrated vety high field resistance to downy mildew, with resistance alleles inherited from cvs. Iceberg and Grand Rapids. Five of the leaf-lettuce breeding lines (SMI3-Ll being an exception) have alleles for dieback resistance, a disease that may substantially limit lettuce production in California and Arizona. SM13-Ll is earlier bolting than other breeding lines. SM13-L6 has resistance to Verticillium wilt race I.