Light regulates ascorbate in plants: An integrated view on physiology and biochemistry

•ASC levels in plant tissue increases at higher irradiance levels due to stimulation of the primary (D-Man/L-Gal) biosynthetic pathway.•The primary biosynthetic pathway accounts for the majority of ASC found in plants. Other biosynthetic pathways possibly contribute to the ASC pool only in genetically modified plants.•Respiration, photosynthesis and carbohydrate availability are regulatory cues for ASC in plants.•Respiration and photosynthesis potentially interact in light regulation of ASC via carbohydrates.