Exploring alternative germplasm for the development of stable high vitamin C content in tomato varieties

The genotypic potential for high l-ascorbic acid content of 15 accessions of S. lycopersicon and S. pimpinellifolium has been evaluated in three environments, including open-air and glasshouse cultivation and two localities. The environmental effect on l-ascorbic acid accumulation was highly genotype-dependant and the variance ascribed to the G×E environment was similar in importance to that ascribed to genotype. The variation found within accession might be ascribed to microenvironmental effects associated with temperature changes and oxidative stress or population variability. Several accessions with high genotypic values (μ+G) have been identified. Among them, accession PI365959 of S. pimpinellifolium, showed a genotypic value of 293.8 mg kg−1, statistically significant higher (P < 0.05) than the genotypic potential of controls reported to have high l-ascorbic content (CDP4777, 115.0 mg kg−1). It also showed positive G×E interactions, with a relatively high stability. Accession LA1423 of S. lycopersicon var. cerasiforme, despite being less stable, had also high genotypic values for l-ascorbic acid accumulation (197.4 mg kg−1). This germplasm will be of great interest for the development of new tomato cultivars targeted to added-value markets appreciating nutritional or functional quality. The close relationship of the selected material with the cultivated tomato will enable an efficient and rapid exploitation of their potential in breeding programmes.

► Germplasm from tomato and the closely related species S. pimpinellifolium has been evaluated for vitamin C content in three environments.
► Environment effect on l-ascorbic acid accumulation was genotype dependent.
► Accession PI365959 doubled genotypic potential of previously described high content controls, relatively high stability and positive environmental interactions.