A field experiment was conducted to study the contents of chromoplast pigments and the degraded products in Dunhua Jilin flue-cured tobacco under different application rates of water retention agent. The results showed that the concentrations of chlorophyll a, b and chlorophyll in total were in an order of no-topdressed water retention agent＞15 kg/hm2 agent＞45 kg/hm2 agent＞30 kg/hm2 agent；Applying water retention agent could decrease chlorophyll and its degraded products in flue-cured tobacco, applying proper water retention agent helped to improve carotenoid and its degraded products. The best water retention agent application rate in flue-cured tobacco was 15 kg/hm2 for the optimal ranges of chlorophyll content, the higher content of neophytadiene, the highest contents of carotenoid and its degraded products and the best sensory quality.