The electrolyte leakage (EL) of excised leaf discs increased to the same extent for heads stored with and without roots. The increase in EL during storage was more pronounced in GB 1 than in RB (Fig. 4) Prior storage of whole heads significantly reduced the fresh-cut shelf life. After 7 days of prior storage at 12 c, the shelf-life of the fresh-cut product was about half of that of cut product made from non-stored heads (data not shown) Therefore in experiment 2, the effect 5 days prior storage at 12 c of heads with and without roots on the subsequent performance of the fresh-cut product was studied.