Summary
This 2015 study investigated the relationship between growth media pH and vitamin C accumulation in tomato, examining both the resulting fruit nutrient content and the expression of genes encoding enzymes in the ascorbic acid biosynthetic pathway. The work suggests that cultivation conditions, specifically pH management, may influence phytonutrient density through transcriptional regulation of biosynthetic genes. The findings contribute to understanding how horticultural practice might optimise nutrient density in vegetable crops.
Regional applicability
The findings are relevant to United Kingdom horticultural practice, particularly in controlled-environment and protected cropping systems where growing media pH can be actively managed. Transferability to field conditions and different soil types would depend on pH range tested and local UK growing conditions.
Key measures
Ascorbic acid concentration in tomato fruit; expression levels of ascorbic acid biosynthetic genes under different pH conditions
Outcomes reported
The study examined how pH of growth media influences ascorbic acid (vitamin C) concentration in tomato fruit and the expression of genes involved in ascorbic acid biosynthesis. Effects on both nutrient accumulation and underlying molecular mechanisms were assessed.
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