Effects of the growing methods and conditions on the lycopene content of tomato fruits

Tomato is one of the most important sources of lycopene. The effect of water supply was investigated on lycopene content of Daniela F-1 tomato harvested in greenhouse. The lycopene content of fruits supplied with 50% of optimal water intake was higher (86.5 mg kg(-1) f.w.) than that of fruits supplied with 100% of optimal water intake (62.5 mg kg(-1) f.w.). Significantly higher lycopene content was observed in tomato harvested in greenhouse (83.0 mg kg(-1) f. w.) than in field (59.2 mg kg(-1) f. w.), at every harvesting time. The highest concentration of lycopene was detected in cherry tomato (77.4 mg kg(-1) f. w.) while Daniela F-1 with 59.2 mg lycopene per kg and Delfine F-1 with 69.6 mg lycopene per kg had significantly lower level (under field conditions).