Which of the following pigment impart a red colour to tomato?

The correct answer is lycopene.

Let's understand the role of different pigments in plants and identify why lycopene is responsible for the red color of tomatoes:

1. Lycopene: This is a bright red carotenoid hydrocarbon found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, such as red carrots, watermelons, and papayas. It is the specific pigment responsible for imparting the characteristic red color to ripe tomatoes.
2. β-carotene: This is another carotenoid pigment, but it is primarily responsible for yellow, orange, and green colors in plants (such as carrots). In tomatoes, β-carotene is also present but in lower amounts compared to lycopene as the fruit ripens.
3. Anthocyanins: These are water-soluble vacuolar pigments that can appear red, purple, or blue depending on the pH. They are responsible for the red/purple colors of berries, red grapes, and red cabbage, but they are not the primary pigment that colors tomatoes red.
4. Erythrocyanin: This is not the primary pigment associated with the red color of tomatoes.

Therefore, lycopene is the specific pigment that gives tomatoes their red color.