夏玉米群体光合速率特性及其与冠层结构、生态条件的关系

研究结果表明：高产夏玉米群体光合速率日变化呈单峰曲线。在水肥充足栽培条件下,光照强度是影响玉米群体光合速率的主导因素,最大自然光强下群体光合未测到光饱和点。群体光合速率随CO2浓度(50—900ppm范围)的增加而提高。土壤呼吸释放的CO2量占群体光合速率的11.68%。高产群体所形成的独特环境对单叶光合速率影响很大,群体生长下的单株,在8×104一9×104Lx光下的单叶光合速率为果穗叶高于下部和上部叶,品种、密度间差异不大;冠层自然状态下的单位叶面积光合速率上部叶却高于中、下部叶,高密度下,紧凑型品种高于平展型品种,低密度下则相反。     

遮荫对甜瓜叶片光合特性的影响

以适宜不同栽培条件的3个甜瓜品种为材料,研究了遮荫对其光合色素含量、净光合速率及比叶重等叶片特性的影响。结果表明:与正常光照相比,遮光处理能诱使甜瓜叶片叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量显著提高,叶绿素a/b显著降低。全光照条件下,3个甜瓜品种的净光合速率日变化曲线均呈双峰型,有明显的"光合午休"现象,而在遮荫条件下则呈单峰曲线变化,且光合峰值出现的时间比全光照下推迟;遮光条件下甜瓜叶片气孔导度日变化曲线与其净光合速率日变化类似。3个品种间比叶重在全光照条件下差异不显著,但遮荫显著降低了壮龄叶片的比叶重,且遮荫强度越重,比叶重越小;品种‘黄河蜜3号’壮龄叶的比叶重降幅(31.83%)显著大于‘银帝’(27.22%)和‘玉金香’(26.01%)。可见,遮荫降低了甜瓜叶片的净光合速率和功能叶片的比叶重,植株通过增加自身叶片光合色素含量以增强对环境的适应性,缓解遮荫对其的影响,品种‘银帝’表现出较强的耐弱光性。     

遮荫对牡丹光合特性及观赏品质的影响

于2008～2011年对牡丹栽培品种进行了不同程度的长期遮荫处理(100%、65%、45%及15%自然光强),并对其中5个品种(‘傲阳’、‘粉中冠’、‘蓝宝石’、‘迎日红’及‘朱光墨润’)进行了光合特性及观赏品质的测定。结果表明:牡丹各品种光饱和点及光补偿点较高,遮荫处理下光饱和点与光补偿点有不同程度降低。65%光照下,所有品种的净光合速率较对照明显提高,成花率高,花朵直径明显增大;45%光照下,各品种成花率高,‘傲阳’、‘蓝宝石’、‘迎日红’及‘朱光墨润’4个品种的净光合速率较对照明显提高,‘粉中冠’、‘蓝宝石’、‘迎日红’及‘朱光墨润’的花朵直径较对照不同程度增大;15%光照下,所有品种的净光合速率及成花率较对照显著降低,花朵直径显著减小。‘蓝宝石’在不同程度遮荫下花色较对照没有明显变化,‘傲阳’在轻中度遮荫下花色较对照没有明显变化;‘粉中冠’及‘迎日红’在65%光照下花色变深变红,45%光照下花色开始变浅;‘朱光墨润’在45%光照下花色开始变蓝变红。研究发现,牡丹是阳生植物,但光照生态幅较宽,适度遮荫能促进光合作用,成花率高,花朵直径增大,花色鲜艳,提高观赏品质,但不同色系品种的适宜遮荫程度各异。     

冠层高度对毛竹叶片光合生理特性的影响

借助LI-6400便携式光合作用系统,研究了冠层高度对不同林龄毛竹(Phyllostachys pubescens)叶片光合生理特性和水分利用效率(WUE)的季节性影响,为促进毛竹林碳汇能力和生产力提升的林分结构调整等可持续栽培技术提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)出笋期,不同竹龄毛竹叶片净光合速率(Pn)和蒸腾速率(Tr)的日均值呈现出冠层上部小于冠层下部的梯度变化趋势,且2a生毛竹不同冠层Pn日均值大于3a生毛竹;孕笋行鞭期,不同林龄毛竹各时间点Pn值和日均值、以及2年生毛竹各时间点的Tr值均为冠层上部大于冠层下部。各生长季节,不同林龄毛竹个体叶片的气孔导度(Gs)均与Tr的变化趋势一致。(2)2年生毛竹各季节仅冠层上部叶片会出现"光合午休",而3年生毛竹仅于出笋期时各冠层叶片出现"光合午休"现象。(3)出笋期毛竹叶片WUE日均值随着冠层高度增加而增加,这种变化趋势不受竹龄影响;而孕笋行鞭期,仅2年生毛竹叶片WUE日均值随着冠层高度增加而下降。不同冠层高度的孕笋行鞭期毛竹叶片WUE日均值都显著高于出笋期;冠层高度对毛竹叶片气体交换特性和WUE的影响受生长发育关键期的季节因素影响,且毛竹叶片WUE与Gs之间存在负相关关系,其不受毛竹个体年龄和叶片冠层高度影响。(4)不同生长季节各冠层叶绿素a/b值均随着冠层高度下降而降低,不同林龄毛竹叶片叶绿素含量基本随着冠层自上而下呈逐渐增加的趋势。各生长季节,不同林龄个体叶片氮素含量、比叶重随冠层高度垂直变化趋势与叶片Pn日均值的垂直变化趋势一致。研究认为,毛竹不同冠层部位叶片通过改变形态、氮素含量来适应不同生长季节生长环境的变化,以便充分利用光能提高光合能力。     

不同穗型小麦品种旗叶光合作用日变化的研究

在大田条件下,对多穗型小麦品种豫麦49和大穗型小麦品种周麦13的旗叶净光合速率（Pn)及基影响因素,包括叶温（T1）、光合有效辐射（PAR）、蒸腾速率（Tr)、气孔导度（C）、细胞间隙CO2浓度（Ci)等日变化的测定结果表明,开花期2品种都存在光合“午休”现象,豫麦49Pn日变化呈双峰曲线,峰值出现在10：00和14：00,周麦13Pn日变化为单峰曲线,峰值在10：00。相关分析表明,开花期的温度和光照对豫麦49旗叶光合已造成一定程度的影响,此期的光温条件较有利于周麦13旗叶的光合作用。灌浆中期2品种均表现出一降不起型的严重“午休”现象,在强光、高温下,豫麦49旗叶Pn比周麦13降低明显。     

黑石顶常绿阔叶林群落冠层树木光合生理特性研究

本文用封闭式的光合作用测定仪测定了黑石顶南亚热带常绿阔叶林群落冠层的两种优势种群──相和光叶红豆的光合速率以及其它生理因子的日变化,同时测定了群落冠层的环境因子──光量子通量密度、气温和相对湿度等的日变化。冠层中ｃｏ＿２浓度的平均值为３０６．６ｍｇ／ｋｇ,日变幅为±６．０ｍｇ／ｋｇ。树种间光合速率差别很大,硬叶相叶片的日平均净光合速率为２．６３７４μｍｏｌ／ｍ￣２·ｓ．日最高净光合作用速率在１１时左右。分析了净光合速率与叶片气孔导度之间的显著相关性,并指出气孔导度的差异可能是引起不同种间净光合速率差异的主要原因之一。     

落叶阔叶林内的光合作用和气孔传导率特征(英文)

本文根据Wang和BMdocchi(1989)最近提出的冠层辐射模型,进一步给出了一个模拟冠层光合作用速率和气孔传导率的模式.模式将冠层中每一层的叶面积分为向光叶、半影叶、和全遮荫叶三种,并分别计算其光合作用速率和气孔传导率。计算得到的光合速率廓线表明,在落叶阔叶林内,冠层下部的叶片常处于光照不足状态;半影效应使得透过林冠达于底部的辐射量增大,这对于林下植物的光合作用是有利的。 模式计算值与实测值之间的微弱差别应归因于纯辐射模型无法考虑湍流输送机制造成的CO_2传输和冠层底部耐荫性叶对于低光照的适应能力。     

CO2浓度、氮和水分对春小麦光合、蒸散及水分利用效率的影响

研究了不同土壤氮和土壤水分条件下,大气CO2浓度升高对春小麦光合作用、气孔导度、蒸散和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明,CO2浓度升高,干旱处理的春小麦（Triticum aestivum L.）叶片光合作用速率幅度增加大于湿润处理,随着氮肥用量增加光合速率相应增加,而不施氮脂增加有限;干旱处理气孔导度幅度减少大于湿润处理,不施氮肥的大于氮肥充足的CO2浓度升高,干旱处理的蒸散量减少比湿润处理多,不施氮肥的蒸散量减少较为明显;但干旱处理单叶WUE增加大于湿润处理;随着氮肥用量增加,冠层WUE提高,而不施氮肥的冠层WUE最低。因而CO2浓度升高、光合速率增加和蒸散量减少会减缓干旱的不利影响,增强作物对干旱胁迫的抵御能力。     

刺槐树冠光合作用的空间异质性

林木冠层是森林与外界环境相互作用最直接的部分,冠层光合作用是研究森林生产力的基础。为了深入了解冠层内部光合作用的差异性,以陕西省永寿县马莲滩流域阳坡和阴坡立地的刺槐林为研究对象,对比分析了光合速率(An)、蒸腾速率(E)、水分利用效率(WUE)、气孔导度(gs)、羧化效率(Vc)、水汽压亏缺(VPD)、气孔限制值(ls)、光合有效辐射(PAR)、空气温度(Ta)在树冠不同层次、不同方位,以及不同坡向之间的差异性。结果表明,刺槐树冠不同层次的光合作用差异性显著,大部分光合生理生态指标表现为:上中下。对于阳坡刺槐,VPD、Ta、gs、E是影响不同层次An的主要因子;对于阴坡刺槐,VPD、E、PAR是影响不同层次An的主要因子。光合作用在刺槐树冠的不同方位没有显著差异,大多数光合指标变化很小,E、ls、PAR、Ta是影响不同方位An的主要因子。对于刺槐冠层内部的任何层次或方位,阴坡刺槐具有更高的日均An、E、Vc、VPD、ls,而阳坡刺槐具有更高的日均WUE、gs、PAR、Ta。阳坡刺槐树冠中层西方和阴坡中层东方的日总光合速率值,可以分别代表阳坡和阴坡刺槐整个冠层的日总光合速率。研究认为,在冠层水平模拟和估计森林生产力时,必须考虑冠层光合作用的空间异质性,对于从单木到林分的尺度推演和模型拟合具有重要的意义。     

CO2浓度、氮和水分对春小麦光合、蒸散及水分利用效率的影响

研究了不同土壤氮和土壤水分条件下,大气CO₂浓度升高对春小麦光合作用、气孔导度、蒸散和水分利用效率的影响.结果表明,CO₂浓度升高,干旱处理的春小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)叶片光合作用速率幅度增加大于湿润处理,随着氮肥用量增加光合速率相应增加,而不施氮肥增加有限;干旱处理气孔导度幅度减少大于湿润处理,不施氮肥的大于氮肥充足的.CO₂浓度升高,干旱处理的蒸散量减少比湿润处理多,不施氮肥的蒸散量减少较为明显;但干旱处理单叶WUE增加大于湿润处理;随着氮肥用量增加,冠层WUE提高,而不施氮肥的冠层WUE最低.因而CO₂浓度升高、光合速率增加和蒸散量减少会减缓干旱的不利影响,增强作物对干旱胁迫的抵御能力.     

Study of Diurnal Changes in Photosynthetic Rate and Quantum Efficiency of Grapevine Leaves and Their Utilization in Canopy Management

Photosynthetic rate and quatum efficiency of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sauvignon blanc) leaves were measured under the field with ample soil water supply, and in phytotron with ample supply of water and mineral nutrients, constant air humidity and CO2 concentration, and optimum air temperature, respectively. Under field conditions CO2 assimilation quantum efficiency of leaves reached its maximum in the morning, which was followed by continuous decrease and midday depression. The leaves intercepting more light energy in the morning showed a higher quantum efficiency. Those leaves subjected continuously to strong irradiance exhibited a more obvious and longer midday depression. Reduction of leaf light interception around midday could reduce midday depression. Shaded leaves had a higher quantum efficiency than leaves under direct sunlight. The diurnal changes in photosynthetic rate and quantum efficiency of leaves were shown to be closely related to the variations in mesophyll resistance to CO2. In phytotron experiments the photosynthetic quantum efficiency of leaves was reduced after a certain period of illumination not only at 1200 μmol · m-2 · s-1 PFD, higher than the saturating light of vine leaves (≈1000 μmol · m-2 · s-1), which was caused by "photoinhibition”, but also at 800 and 200μmol · m-2 · s-1, which was similar to "photoinhibition”. But photosynthetic quantum efficiency of leaves exposed continuously to a very weak PFD (100 μmol · m -2 · s-1) remained contant. The diurnal changes in mesophyll resistance to CO2 of vine leaves could be partly related to photoinhibition. It is considered that, under field conditions without soil water limitation, midday depression of vine leaf photosynthesis could be a result of an increase of the mesophyll resistance induced by multiple effects of strong light, high temperature and low humidity. A higher light interception by canopy plane in the morning may be advantageous to exploit higher photosynthetic potentiality of leaves, but a lower light interception in the middle of day may reduce midday depression. The north-south orientation plane can provide optimum light regime and improve photosynthetic environment in vineyards.     

Leaf area index, canopy structure and photosynthesis of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

Abstract. The influence of leaf age, total leaf area and its dispersion in space on canopy photosynthesis were studied using microswards of red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) which were established in the greenhouse. Two varieties, Renova (flowering) and Molstad (non-flowering), were sown in separate plastic boxes at densities of 225, 400 and 625 plants per m².
Vertical distribution of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), leaf area, leaf age and ¹⁴CO₂-fixation were determined periodically. Net photosynthesis and dark respiration of canopies were measured. Maximum photosynthetic capacity of individual leaves was measured on plants taken from the intact canopy or from plants where shading of the growing leaves had been prevented.
Net photosynthetic rate of canopies increased linearly with leaf area index (LAI) up to an LAI of 3.5 and then declined at higher LAI, independent of variety and sowing density. Below the optimum LAI, net photosynthesis depended mainly on interception of PAR. Decrease in canopy photosynthesis above the optimum LAI was due to a higher proportion of old leaves with decreased photosynthetic capacity, and not to an increase in respiring plant parts. It is concluded that LAI and position of leaf age categories in the canopy are more important than vertical distribution of leaf area in determining canopy photosynthesis of red clover.     

美国黑核桃实生苗生态生理过程对环境因素响应的数值模拟(Ⅲ):植株冠层光合作用数理模型

以1-2年生北加州黑核桃为试材,建立了具有较高分辨能力的植株群体结构、光分布模型和冠层光合作用模型．将植株冠层按叶面积指数划分为若干层次。上下层之间水平面上太阳辐照度按Monsi＆Saeki所提出的指数递减规律分布．冠层内太阳散射光的消光系数由冠层结构决定,而直射光的消光系数则决定于冠层结构与太阳在天空的位置．在同一层次。将叶片的叶倾角划分为6个等级。将叶片的水平位置划分为8个方位．设同一层次中水平面上的太阳辐照度相同。某一方位角和叶倾角的叶面的直接辐射由太阳视运动方程决定．以此为基础,分别计算“光斑区”和“遮荫区”内叶片的光合速率,并通过数值积分计算整个冠层的光合速率及光合日总量．用田间实测资料验证了冠层内太阳辐射分布模型和冠层光合作用模型．敏感性试验分析表明。模型对环境因子和生物学因素有良好的响应．     

不同供水条件下冬小麦叶与非叶绿色 器官光合日变化特征

为揭示小麦叶片与非叶绿色器官的光合活性在一日中的变化特性及其在器官间的差异性,探讨群体及不同器官光合日变化对不同供水条件的响应特征,在田间设置生育期不灌水(I0)、灌2水(I2,拔节水＋开花水)和灌4水(I4,起身水+孕穗水+开花水+灌浆水)3个处理,于灌浆期测定了群体光合与呼吸速率的日变化, 旗叶片、叶鞘、穗、穗下节间各器官光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度及叶绿素荧光参数的日变化。结果表明,灌浆期小麦穗和穗下节间光合速率日变化呈单峰曲线,而旗叶叶片与旗叶鞘光合速率均呈双峰型,表现出不同程度的午休。随着灌水次数减少,各器官光合速率降低,叶片对严重水分亏缺的反应大于各非叶器官。器官光合速率的日变化与F_v/F_m变化相一致,而与气孔导度日变化有较大差异。各器官上午的累积光合量均高于下午,上午光合量占日总光合量的比例为51％-62％,随着灌水次数减少而增大。不同灌水处理群体光合速率、呼吸速率日变化均未出现午休现象。春季浇2水处理与春浇4水处理相比,灌浆期群体光合速率及日光合积累量没有显著差异。综合研究认为,小麦叶与非叶器官光合性能及其日变化特征有较大不同,非叶光合对水分亏缺的敏感性低于叶片,生育期浇2水可以获得与浇4水相似的群体日光合积累量。     

Photosynthetic acclimation to simultaneous and interacting environmental stresses along natural light gradients: optimality and constraints

There is a strong natural light gradient from the top to the bottom in plant canopies and along gap-understorey continua. Leaf structure and photosynthetic capacities change close to proportionally along these gradients, leading to maximisation of whole canopy photosynthesis. However, other environmental factors also vary within the light gradients in a correlative manner. Specifically, the leaves exposed to higher irradiance suffer from more severe heat, water, and photoinhibition stresses. Research in tree canopies and across gap-understorey gradients demonstrates that plants have a large potential to acclimate to interacting environmental limitations. The optimum temperature for photosynthetic electron transport increases with increasing growth irradiance in the canopy, improving the resistance of photosynthetic apparatus to heat stress. Stomatal constraints on photosynthesis are also larger at higher irradiance because the leaves at greater evaporative demands regulate water use more efficiently. Furthermore, upper canopy leaves are more rigid and have lower leaf osmotic potentials to improve water extraction from drying soil. The current review highlights that such an array of complex interactions significantly modifies the potential and realized whole canopy photosynthetic productivity, but also that the interactive effects cannot be simply predicted as composites of additive partial environmental stresses. We hypothesize that plant photosynthetic capacities deviate from the theoretical optimum values because of the interacting stresses in plant canopies and evolutionary trade-offs between leaf- and canopy-level plastic adjustments in light capture and use.     

青海高原小麦叶片净光合速率日变化的中午降低现象对环境中生态因素的响应

以土培盆栽和大田栽培小麦（Ｔｒｉｔｉｃｕｍａｅｓｔｉｖｕｍ）为研究材料,探讨了青海高原小麦在正常生长的自然条件下,出现的土壤水分含量（ＳＷＣ）的变化所引起的植物叶片相对含水量（ＲＷＣ）和叶水势（ｗｌ）的变化以及自然强光（ＰＦＤ;Ｑ）导致的高温（Ｔａ）所产生较低的空气相对温度（ＲＨ）对小麦叶片净光合速率（Ｐｎ）日变化的中午降低现象的影响。结果表明,在大田小麦正常生长的自然条件下,当ＳＷＣ等于或低干３０％时,小麦叶片的ＲＷＣ和ｗｌ下降,气孔导度（Ｇｓ）变小,气孔阻力增大,ＣＯ＿２的供给受到了限制,从而也引起了小麦叶肉细胞进行光合作用的能力下降,Ｐｎ日变化就出现了明显的中午降低现象。当ＳＷＣ在８０％左右时,小麦叶片的ＲＷＣ和ｗｌ升高,Ｇｓ增大,气孔阻力变小,ＣＯ＿２供应充分,小麦叶肉细胞进行光合作用的能力增强,Ｐｎ日变化就没有出现中午降低现象（图１）,而青海高原偶然出现的自然强光（ＰＦＤ）导致较高的Ｔａ所产生较低的ＲＨ％和较低的ＳＷＣ一样也是晴天中午,小麦叶片Ｐｎ日变化产生中午降低现象的直接原因。所以说,晴天中午,青海高原大田ＳＷＣ的高低和ＲＨ％的大小是引起小麦叶片Ｐｎ日变化出现中午降低现象轻重与否的主要生态因素     

迁地保护的4种龙脑香冠层叶光合速率和叶绿素荧光参数的日变化

龙脑香科植物是东南亚热带雨林冠层的优势树种,在生态和经济上具有重要地位,而我国西南地区被认为是龙脑香科植物分布的最北端。该文于2004年雨季测定了西双版纳热带植物园迁地保护区内引种的4种国产龙脑香科植物:望天树(Parashorea chinensis)、云南龙脑香(Dipterocarpus retusus)、版纳青梅(Vatica xishuangbannaensis)和海南坡垒(Hopea hainanensis)冠层叶片的光响应曲线、光合速率的日进程、叶绿素荧光参数、叶绿素含量及叶片平均面积、气孔保卫细胞长度和分布状况等。结果表明,4种植物的最大光合速率(P_max)(7.5~18.1 μmol·m ^-2·s^-1,用单位叶面积表示;89.1~150.8 nmol·g^-1 DW·s^-1,用单位干重表示)、暗呼吸速率(R_d)、光补偿点(LSP)、光饱和点(LCP)、表观量子效率和叶片特征差异显著。在正午时4个树种均出现光合作用显著降低的现象,其中海南坡垒光合速率下降最少。虽然高的叶片温度对光合作用有一定的影响,但正午光合作用的下降主要是由于正午高的叶片-空气的水蒸气压力差(LAVPD)引起的气孔关闭造成的。4个树种正午的光系统Ⅱ线性电子传递的量子效率Φ_PSⅡ显著降低,表明遭受了强烈的光抑制。云南龙脑香、版纳青梅和海南坡垒的非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)在正午时升高的幅度最大,而望天树的NPQ上升较少,表明热耗散是前3个树种的主要光保护机制。中午前后望天树的表观电子传递速率(ETR)一直保持在很高的水平,但其光合速率显著降低,表明大量的电子被分配到光呼吸上,也说明望天树主要通过光呼吸来保护光合机构。     

秦岭火地塘林区锐齿栎群落中6种植物光合特性研究

用Li-6400便携式光合测定系统测定了火地塘林区主要成林树种锐齿栎群落中6种植物的光合特性。结果表明：（1）从林冠层到草本层,光合有效辐射强度明显减弱,并且乔木层、灌木层和草本层之间的差异均达到了显著水平（P〈0．05）;（2）乔木层锐齿栎的光合速率日变化为“双峰”曲线,表现出明显的“午休”现象,而林下植物灌木层和草本层光合速率日变化整体上呈“单峰”曲线,无“午休”现象;（3）光饱和点和光补偿点均表现为乔木〉灌木〉草本。表明植物光合“午休”现象是由中午高光强、高气温和低湿度引起的。并非某些植物的特性．植物的光合特性与其生境特点相符。     

矮嵩草草甸植物群落的光合特性研究

 矮嵩草草甸植物群落的光合、暗呼吸和土壤呼吸的研究表明：光合作用的日变化在6月份接近平坦型,7、8月份呈午间降低型。矮嵩草草甸植物群落的光合作用受较低的光合面积指数及冠层叶片的受光势态的影响,存在着明显的光饱和现象,光补偿点及光饱和点相对于全日照光合有效辐射均较低,接近于单叶的光响应特性。裸露地面的土壤呼吸和植物与土壤体系的暗呼吸不仅与温度有关,而且与土壤水分状况和降雨量也有密切联系。影响草甸群落光合特性的主要因素有：高原地区强烈的太阳辐射,较低的光合面积指数和植物根系与土壤紧密结合所形成的草结皮层结构。     

Effects of kaolin application on light absorption and distribution, radiation use efficiency and photosynthesis of almond and walnut canopies

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Kaolin applied as a suspension to plant canopies forms a film on leaves that increases reflection and reduces absorption of light. Photosynthesis of individual leaves is decreased while the photosynthesis of the whole canopy remains unaffected or even increases. This may result from a better distribution of light within the canopy following kaolin application, but this explanation has not been tested. The objective of this work was to study the effects of kaolin application on light distribution and absorption within tree canopies and, ultimately, on canopy photosynthesis and radiation use efficiency. METHODS: Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) incident on individual leaves within the canopy of almond (Prunus dulcis) and walnut (Juglans regia) trees was measured before and after kaolin application in order to study PAR distribution within the canopy. The PAR incident on, and reflected and transmitted by, the canopy was measured on the same day for kaolin-sprayed and control trees in order to calculate canopy PAR absorption. These data were then used to model canopy photosynthesis and radiation use efficiency by a simple method proposed in previous work, based on the photosynthetic response to incident PAR of a top-canopy leaf. KEY RESULTS: Kaolin increased incident PAR on surfaces of inner-canopy leaves, although there was an estimated 20 % loss in PAR reaching the photosynthetic apparatus, due to increased reflection. Assuming a 20 % loss of PAR, modelled photosynthesis and photosynthetic radiation use efficiency (PRUE) of kaolin-coated leaves decreased by only 6.3 %. This was due to (1) more beneficial PAR distribution within the kaolin-sprayed canopy, and (2) with decreasing PAR, leaf photosynthesis decreases less than proportionally, due to the curvature of the photosynthesis response-curve to PAR. The relatively small loss in canopy PRUE (per unit of incident PAR), coupled with the increased incident PAR on the leaf surface on inner-canopy leaves, resulted in an estimated increase in modelled photosynthesis of the canopy (+9 % in both walnut and almond). The small loss in PRUE (per unit of incident PAR) resulted in an increase in radiation use efficiency per unit of absorbed PAR, which more than compensated for the minor (7 %) reduction in canopy PAR absorption. CONCLUSIONS: The results explain the apparently contradictory findings in the literature of positive or no effects of kaolin applications on canopy photosynthesis and yield, despite the decrease in photosynthesis by individual leaves when measured at the same PAR.