Variances of Lycopene Contents in Different Tomato Varieties with Fruit Development

Five varieties were employed to study the variances of Lycopene contents in different tomato varieties with the fruit development by determining lycopene contents of each varieties in fruit green period,half-ripe period,full-ripe period and overripe period.The results showed that: Lycopene contents in all tested varieties increased with the development of fruits.And there were significant differences of Lycopene contents between the half-ripe period and full-ripe period.Dvelopment period from half-ripe to full-ripe is the key stage for Lycopene synthesis.Lycopene content in yellow color fruit was significance lower than others at 5% or 1% level in whole fruit development period.There were significant differences of Lycopene contents among the other four varieties at 5% level in full-ripe period and 1% level in overripe period.Lycopene contents of yellow fruit was the lowest and relative stable in the whole development periods.