ASCORBIC ACID IN TOMATOES 



23 



high, averaging 207 units per ounce. It appears possible that b}^ selection and 

 breeding, strains of tomatoes high in ascorbic acid can be obtained. Undoubtedly, 

 it is more than a coincidence that all three of the Comet strains, seeds of which 

 were grown in different parts of the United States, show a high value. Canners 

 of tomatoes and tomato juice may be able to select and perfect improved strains 

 of tomatoes of higher ascorbic acid potency than are now grown commercially. 



The study of the effect of variety and strain on the ascorbic acid content of 

 tomatoes was continued in 1937. The tomatoes were grown on the same soil 

 plots and with the same fertilizer treatment as in the previous year. The 28 

 varieties and strains tested had a lower range of ascorbic acid than in 1936 as 

 is shown in Table 6. On grouping the tomatoes genetically, the Comet strains 

 again showed a high ascorbic acid content. The Massachusetts Field Station 

 strains were considerably less potent than in 1936. Bonny Best and Marglobe 

 strains were in the same relationship to each other; but, as in the other cases, 

 were lower in ascorbic acid content. 



Table 6. — Ascorbic Acid Content of 28 Varieties and Strains of Tomatoes 



(1937 Crop) 



Plot 



Variety and Strain 



30 

 26 



27 

 28 

 29 

 25 



48 

 47 

 49 

 50 



19 

 20 



58 

 51 



53 

 54 



Comet, Eastern States 



Comet, Harris 



Comet, Perry 



Comet, Hart and Vick 



Average all Comet strains , 



Mass. Field Station, No. 13-1 . . . 



Mass. Field Station, No. 5 



Mass. Field .Station, No. 8-1 ... . 

 Mass. Field Station, No. 15-1 . . . 

 Mass. Field Station, No. 2-1 ... . 

 Mass. Field Station, No. 18-1 . . . 



Mass. Field Station, No. 19 



Average all Field Station strains. 



Bonny Best, Will 



Bonny Best, Landreth 



Bonny Best, Ross Brothers 



Bonny Best, Stokes 



Bonny Best (special strain) 



Bonny Best, Livingston 



Average all Bonny Best strains. . 



Marglobe, Harris 



Marglobe, Eastern States 



Marglobe, Landreth 



Marglobe, Livingston 



Average all Marglobe strains . . . . 



John Baer, Harris 



Earliana, Harris 



Earliana, Livingston 



Stone, Livingston 



Globe, Livingston 



Rutgers, Landreth 



Rutgers, Stokes 



♦Standard Deviation from the mean. 



