Abstract: In order to find out the causes of color fading of cured tobacco leaves,the factors,including light irradiation,temperature,relative humidity,pH,metal ion and reductant on the stability of carotenoids in cured leaves were investigated.The results showed that:1) The degradation of carotenoids in cured leaves positively correlated to light intensity during storage,it was slower when leaves were stored away from light.2) Low storage temperature facilitated to the alleviation of carotenoid degradation,while high storage temperature accelerated carotenoid decomposing.3) Dry environment was beneficial to the stability of carotenoids,while the degradation of carotenoids was accelerated by humid environment.4) Cu²⁺,Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺,Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺ undermined the stability of carotenoids,while the other metal ions did not.5) Reductant had certain protective effects on carotenoids.Therefore,it is suggested to store cured leaves at alow temperature,away from light,dry and alkaline environment,or after reductant treatment.Lower the contents of Cu²⁺,Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺,Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺ in tobacco leaves via agricultural cultural practices would be helpful to the inhibition of carotenoid degradation and color fading of tobacco.