Genetic Improvement of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) for Phytonutrient Content at AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center

Tomato is a widely consumed global vegetable and a major source of the phytonutrients vitamin C, beta-carotene (provitamin A), lycopene, and flavonoids. Tomato cultivars with increased fruit phytonutrient density could help overcome micronutrient malnutrition and contribute to better human health. It is important for plant breeders to understand the genetic diversity and genetic control of targeted phytonutrients, the extent to which environmental factors such as temperature or light intensity affect phytonutrient content, and whether altered phytonutrient content significantly affects yield and horticultural or fruit quality traits. Tomato breeding at AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center has included phytonutrient objectives in its breeding programs and has developed tropically adapted, high yielding and multiple disease resistant lines with increased content of beta-carotene, lycopene, flavonoids, or anthocyanin in different fruit types. Increased content of some phytonutrients such as lycopene is associated with better fruit quality. On the other hand, high betacarotene content results in orange-fleshed fruit, which is not readily accepted by many consumers. AVRDC seeks to popularize high phytonutrient tomato cultivars through linkages with organizations promoting nutrition and health.

Keywords:

Nutrition, beta-carotene lycopene,

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