Genotype and environment effects on nitrate accumulation in a diversity set of lettuce accessions at commercial maturity: the influence of nitrate uptake and assimilation, osmotic interactions and shoot weight and development

BACKGROUND. The causes of the natural variation in nitrate accumulation and associated traits are studied using a diverse population of 48 mature lettuce accessions grown hydroponically in winter and summer seasons. Information on the effects of genotype (G), environment (E) and their interactions will inform future selection strategies for the production of low-nitrate varieties more suited to meeting EU requirements for harvested produce. RESULTS. The effects of G, E and G x E interactions were all significant, with nitrate concentrations lower but covering a wider range in summer. Concentrations of nitrate-N were positively correlated with those of water and total-N, and negatively with assimilated-C in the shoot in both seasons, with all relationships partitioned according to morphotype and/or seasonal type. Corresponding relationships between nitrate-N and assimilated-N, or with shoot fresh or dry weight were generally weak or inconsistent. Nitrate concentrations at an early growth stage were strongly related to those at maturity in the winter, but not in summer when light levels were less variable. CONCLUSIONS. The effects of genotype and environment on nitrate accumulation in lettuce are strongly influenced by morphotype, with most G x E interactions between accessions within the same morphotype predominantly of the non-crossover type. All low nitrate-accumulating genotypes have increased concentrations of organic solutes (concentration regulation) and reduced water (volume regulation) to help stabilise osmotic potential within the shoots. Variability in nitrate accumulation arises more from differences in uptake than in efficiency of its chemical reduction. Genotypic differences in nitrate accumulation can be masked by changes in head morphology during maturation, provided they are not confounded by substantial changes in intercepted light. Recent selection strategies do not appear to have produced lower nitrate-accumulating cultivars.