渭北黄土区农林复合系统中大豆辣椒的光合生理特性

研究了农林复合系统不同处理对大豆、辣椒的光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明,从单作到距李子1m处,随着距李子树越近,遮光愈多.各处理大豆、辣椒的光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)表现出与光合有效辐射(PAR)基本一致的日变化模式,且与单作相比,各处理大豆、辣椒的光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率均有不同程度的降低.相关性分析结果表明二者的光合速率、气孔导度及蒸腾速率均与光合有效辐射呈正相关关系.随着遮荫程度的提高,大豆、辣椒叶绿素含量和表观量子效率(Ф)升高,光饱和点(LSP)和光补偿点(LCP)降低.二者叶绿素荧光参数最大光能转换效率( Fv / Fm ) 、PSⅡ电子传递量子效率(ФPSⅡ ) 以及光化学猝灭系数( qP)均有不同程度的升高,而非光化学猝灭系数( qN P)却逐渐降低.说明大豆、辣椒能适应弱光环境,在较低的光照条件下正常生长.     

商洛低山丘陵区农林复合生态系统中大豆与丹参的光合生理特性

农林复合系统作为一种传统而又新兴的土地利用和经营方式在改善商洛生态环境、增加该区农民收入、促进其生态和经济协调发展等方面发挥着非常重要的作用.为了研究林下作物的生理生态特性,对研究区农林复合系统中不同处理大豆、丹参的光合、叶绿素荧光参数进行了系统观测.结果表明,从单作到距核桃1m处,距核桃树越近,遮光愈多.各处理大豆的光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)表现出与光合有效辐射(PAR)基本一致的日变化趋势.不同处理丹参光合速率日变化趋势各不相同,且出现“午休”现象.与单作相比,各处理大豆、丹参的光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率均有不同程度的降低.随着遮荫程度的提高,大豆、丹参叶绿素含量和表观量子效率(Φ)升高,光饱和点(LSP)和光补偿点(LCP)降低.二者叶绿素荧光参数最大光能转换效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ电子传递量子效率(ΦPsⅡ)以及光化学猝灭系数(qP)均有不同程度的升高,而非光化学猝灭系数(qNP)却逐渐降低.说明大豆、丹参能适应弱光环境,在较低的光照条件下正常生长.     

CO2倍增对不同基因型大豆光合色素含量和荧光诱导动力学参数的影响

研究了CO_2倍增对大豆(Glycine max L.)Bragg(野生型)及其不同单基因突变品系Nts 382(超结瘤突变体)和Nod 49(不结瘤突变体)某些光合特性的影响。结果表明,CO_2倍增能提高Bragg、Nts 382和Nod 49的叶绿素(Chl)和类胡萝卜素(Car)的含量,但不同品系提高的幅度有所不同。荧光诱导动力学测定结果表明,CO_2倍增均能提高其PSⅡ活性、PSⅡ原初光能转化效率和光合作用潜在量子转化效率。CO_2倍增更有利于提高Nts 382的荧光光化学猝灭系数(qp)和PSⅡ总的光化学量子产量,以及较大幅度地降低荧光非光化学猝灭系数(qN),有助于把所捕获的光能用于进行光合作用。这可能与Nts 382是超结瘤突变体,比Bragg和Nod 49能更充分地利用空气中的氮素有关。     

培养基对不同性别水蕨配子体叶绿素荧光特性的影响

研究了MS和改良knop’s培养基条件下水蕨(Ceratopteris thalictroides)两性配子体和雄配子体叶绿素荧光参数的差异,结果表明:MS培养基中两性配子体PSⅡ线性电子传递的量子效率ФPSⅡ和PSⅡ驱动的电子传递速率ETRPSⅡ值显著高于MS培养基中的雄配子体以及改良knop’s培养基中的配子体;各组配子体光化学效率Fv/Fm值无显著差异;外源营养对各组配子体光化学荧光猝灭系数qP和非光化学荧光猝灭系数qN的影响不具明显规律性。综上所述,MS培养基中外源糖类的添加使水蕨配子体PSⅡ的光合活性增强,有利于大量快速生长的两性配子体的形成。     

短期UV-B辐射对青藏高原美丽风毛菊PS Ⅱ光化学效率的影响

通过短期增补UV-B辐射模拟试验,研究了青藏高原典型天气(晴天、多云、阴天)下高山植物美丽风毛菊叶片的叶绿素荧光参数变化.结果表明:随天气由晴变阴,美丽风毛菊叶片暗适应3 min的PSⅡ最大光化学量子效率(Fv/Fm)显著升高,实际PSⅡ光化学效率(ФPSⅡ)和光化学猝灭系数(qp)也升高,而非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)则降低,可见光辐射(PAR)是影响PSⅡ光能转化效率的主要因素.增补UV-B辐射后,3种典型天气下,美丽风毛菊叶片的Fv/Fm和NPQ略有降低,ФPSⅡ和qp略微增加,但对光合气体交换过程没有产生负影响.叶片净光合速率Pn和ФPSⅡ的增高趋势与增补UV-B辐射下相对较多的UV-A成分有关,同时也得益于叶片厚度的增加.UV-B辐射对叶片光合机构具有潜在负影响.     

渗透胁迫对小麦幼苗叶绿素荧光参数的影响

用叶绿素荧光诱导动力学技术,研究模拟干旱条件对小麦幼苗叶片叶绿素荧光参数,即原初光能转化效率(F_v/F_m)、光合电子传递量子效率(φPSⅡ)、qP(光化学猝灭)、qNP(非光化学猝灭)、ETR(表观光合量子传递效率)的影响.结果表明,渗透胁迫对小麦幼苗叶绿素荧光参数影响较大.随着渗透胁迫的加剧,F_v/F_m和F_v/F_o都表现出现降低-增加-降低的趋势,在渗透胁迫2 h以前,小麦叶片内部没有发生光抑制,但随着胁迫的加剧,F_v/F_m值增加,使得小麦幼苗叶内发生光抑,导致ΦPSⅡ和ETR的下降;在渗透胁迫过程中,小麦叶片吸收光能的光化学猝灭(qP)的下降和光化学猝灭(qNP)呈现先降低后增加的趋势,说明小麦在受到干旱胁迫前期,PSⅡ反应中心的开放比例降低;在胁迫2h后,随着胁迫的加剧,qP和qNP增加有利于提高PSⅡ反应中心开放部分的比例,将更多的光能用于推动光合电子传递,提高了光合电子传递能力,同时非光化学能量耗散的提高,有助于耗散过剩的激发能,以保护光合机构,缓解环境胁迫对光合作用的影响,体现了小麦叶片的自我保护机制.两个品种相比,长武13的叶绿素荧光参数的变化幅度比陕253小,具有更强的抵御干旱胁迫的能力.     

缺铁对大豆叶片光合作用和光系统Ⅱ功能的影响

通过气体交换和叶绿素荧光测定研究了缺铁对大豆叶片碳同化和光系统Ⅱ的影响。缺铁条件下大豆光合速率(Pn)大幅下降;最大光化学效率(po)下降幅度较小;荧光诱导动力学曲线发生明显的变化,其中电子传递活性明显下降,K相(VK)相对荧光产量提高。缺铁大豆的天线转化效率(Fv'/Fm')、光化学猝灭系数(qP)和光系统Ⅱ实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)降低,而非光化学猝灭(NPQ)则明显增加。此外,缺铁大豆的光后荧光上升增强。据此,认为铁缺乏伤害了光系统Ⅱ复合物供体侧和受体侧的电子传递;缺铁条件下光系统I环式电子传递的增强可能在维持激发能耗散和ATP供给方面起一定作用。     

两种化感物质对茄子幼苗光合作用及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

采用基质栽培,研究不同浓度的2,6-二叔丁基苯酚及邻苯二甲酸二甲酯对茄子幼苗光合作用及叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明,两种化感物质使茄子叶片叶绿素含量、光合速率（P_n）、气孔导度（G_s）下降,细胞间隙CO₂浓度（C_i）先降低后升高;使茄子叶片的初始荧光(F_o)增加,PSⅡ最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、光系统Ⅱ光合电子传递量子效率(Ф_PSⅡ)、光化学猝灭系数(q_P)、天线转化效率(F_v^' /F_m^′)降低.2,6-二叔丁基苯酚使茄子叶片非光化学猝灭系数(q_N)先升高后降低,邻苯二甲酸二甲酯使q_N低于对照,对茄子叶片光合机构造成了伤害.     

青海薄荷的光合及热能耗散特性研究

对青海省民和、西宁和湟源3个地区的药用植物薄荷(Mentha haplocalyx Briq.)的净光合速率和叶绿素荧光参数的变化进行分析比较。结果显示:(1)最大净光合速率(Pn)湟源>西宁>民和;(2)PSⅡ反应中心最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)以及PSⅡ反应中心活性参数(1/Fo-1/Fm)和实际光化学量子效率(ΦPSⅡ)的变化趋势相同,均以西宁最高,而相应的光合功能的相对限制(LPDF)西宁最低;(3)西宁薄荷的光化学猝灭系数(qP)最高(0.875),而非光化学猝灭(NPQ)则最低(1.114)。研究表明,青海薄荷有光抑制现象发生,但并没有造成PSⅡ反应中心的不可逆破坏;西宁薄荷光化学能力较高而湟源薄荷对于过剩光能的耗散能力较高。     

热锻炼对甘蓝幼苗叶片激发能分配的影响

以喜温凉的蔬菜甘蓝为试材,研究了热锻炼与对照甘蓝幼苗叶片光合速率和叶绿素荧光参数对高温胁迫的响应．结果表明,叶片温度在25-35℃之间,热锻炼苗和对照苗叶片叶绿素可变荧光(Ｆv)、光化学猝灭(qP)、非光化学猝灭(qN)、PSⅡ化学效率(ФPSⅡ)没有明显的变化;当叶温高于35℃时。热锻炼苗的Fv、qP和中ФPSⅡ均明显高于对照,37℃时Fv、qP和ФPSⅡ分别比对照高53％、24％和86％;qN较对照低22％,尤其是与光抑制(光破坏)有关的qNs明显降低,以维持较高的高能态猝灭(qNf)耗散过剩激发能。保护PSⅡ反应中心不受破坏。减轻了光抑制,这与热锻炼幼苗叶片在高温下具有较高的光合能力是一致的。     

遮荫对异株荨麻光合特性和荧光参数的影响

系统研究了全光照和不同程度的遮荫(43%,58%,73%,87%,97%)对异株荨麻光合特性和荧光参数的影响。结果表明,异株荨麻的光补偿点和光饱和点均较低,且随着遮荫程度的提高,其值以及暗呼吸速率均依次降低。净光合速率日变化曲线呈单峰型,光合速率高峰值和日平均光合速率均随着遮荫程度的提高而明显下降。蒸腾速率和气孔导度的日变化与光合速率的日变化趋势一致,遮荫对蒸腾作用和气孔导度均有显著的影响,随着遮荫程度的提高,蒸腾速率和气孔导度均显著下降。在各光照条件下,蒸腾速率与气孔导度呈显著正相关。蒸腾速率和气孔导度与光合速率的相关性随遮荫条件的不同而异,全光照条件下蒸腾速率与光合速率呈显著正相关,而所有遮荫条件下相关性不显著。气孔导度与光合速率在所有光照下相关性均不显著。各遮荫条件下叶片总叶绿素、叶绿素a、叶绿素b含量均显著高于全光照的,且随遮荫程度的提高叶绿素含量呈上升趋势,而叶绿素a/b的值则随着遮荫程度的提高而下降。叶绿素荧光参数PSⅡ内禀光能转化效率(Fv/Fm)和潜在活性(Fv/Fo)日变化呈单谷曲线。各遮荫条件下Fv/Fm和Fv/Fo值均高于全光照的,且随着遮荫程度的提高其值均依次增加。这说明,异株荨麻是一种耐荫性很强的植物,遮荫可使其降低光补偿点、光饱和点、净光合速率、暗呼吸速率以及叶绿素a/b,但增加总叶绿素、叶绿素a、叶绿素b含量、光能利用率以及PSⅡ原初光能转化效率和潜在活性,以增强在弱光条件下的生长发育能力。     

遮荫对连翘光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

本文系统研究了不同程度的遮荫(0%、43%、70%、97%)处理对连翘叶片光合特性和叶绿素a荧光参数的影响。结果表明：随着遮荫程度增加,最大净光合速率、光补偿点、光饱和点、暗呼吸速率降低;净光合速率日变化均呈单峰型,峰值和光能利用率增加;叶绿素a b、叶绿素a、叶绿素b含量增加,叶绿素a/b降低;叶绿素a荧光参数Fv/Fm和Fv/Fo日变化呈单谷曲线,值均高于全光照的,且随着遮荫程度的提高其值均依次增加。这说明,连翘是一种耐荫性很强的植物,遮荫可使其降低光补偿点、光饱和点、净光合速率、暗呼吸速率以及叶绿素a/b,增加总叶绿素、叶绿素a、叶绿素b含量、光能利用率以及PSⅡ原初光能转化效率和潜在活性,从而增强其在弱光条件下的生长发育能力。     

Effects of shading on photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla

Aims The objectives were to investigate the effects of different light intensities on photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, to clarify the physiological responses and photo-protective mechanisms of Hydrangea macrophylla to changes in light regimes in view of the distribution of energy absorbed and photosynthetic characteristics.Methods Three light regimes including natural and shade (shading rate 50% and 75% of natural light) were applied to plants for 60 days. After the treatment, the gas-exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence and photosynthesis-light curves were measured by a portable leaf gas exchange system (LI-6400).Important findings The results showed that the weak light intensity treatment reduced dark respiration rate, light compensation point and light saturation point of plant, but increased apparent quantum yield, suggesting that plants had the physiological strategy to utilize the weakening light by reducing respiration. The net photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO₂ concentration, transpiration rate and water use efficiency of plants grown below 50% of natural light showed significant difference compared with natural and shading rate 75% of natural light. There were significant difference between natural and shade treatments in the maximal quantum efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m), as indicated that it was significantly less at full light than that at 50% of natural light. Initial fluorescence intensity (F_o) of plants was higher at full light than that at 50% of natural light, suggesting that photoinhibition occurred in natural light. The non-photochemical quenching (NQP) decreased with the aggravation of shade stress, indicating that shading decreased the efficiency of photochemical reaction by reducing the fraction of incident light in photochemical energy utilization and decreased thermal dissipation through regulating energy distribution in photosystem II (PSII) in the leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla. In general, the 70% of incident light in photochemical energy utilization was distributed to thermal dissipation, 20% was distributed to non-regulated energy dissipation and 4% was distributed to effective photochemical reaction. In conclusion, responses of plants to increased irradiance are governed by strategy: to utilize a high fraction of incident light in photochemistry and regulate energy dissipation in PSII and weaken the accumulation of excess excitation energy in PSII to protect the photosynthetic apparatus in the leaves of H. macrophylla under saturated radiation.     

Eco-physiological studies on the response of taxodiaceous conifers to shading with special reference to the behavior of leaf pigments

The effects of light intensity on the content and composition of leaf pigments, especially of carotenoids, were studied with mature current-year leaves of Taxodiaceous saplings grown under different grades of shade in summer. Both chlorophyll and total carotenoid contents increased with decreasing light intensity, maintaining approximately linear relations between each other, over a range of relative solar radiation of 100% to 7% of full daylight. The regression of total chlorophyll content on mean solar radiation could be well approximated by Shinozaki-Kira's reciprocal equation. The ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b was smaller in the shade than in the sun. The percentage of α-carotene and violaxanthin in the total carotenoid content tended to increase with increasing degree of shade, while those of β-carotene and lutein were reduced. The eco-physiological meanings of the pigments were considered based on this evidence. The order of shade tolerance among the four species tested is also discussed taking the responses of leaf weight and chlorophyll content to incident light intensity into consideration.     

不同光照强度下谢君魔芋的光合作用及能量分配特征

为了探讨喜阴植物谢君魔芋(Amorphophallus xiei)对不同光强的适应策略,测量和分析了不同透光率(高光,透光率100%;中光,透光率32.6%;低光,透光率5.98%)下谢君魔芋对光、CO₂、光斑的响应特征及响应过程中叶绿素a荧光和能量分配特征.结果表明: 随着生长光强的增大,谢君魔芋最大净光合速率(P_max)、暗呼吸速率、表观量子产额、羧化效率显著降低,光补偿点、CO₂补偿点显著升高.中光处理的谢君魔芋对光合诱导的响应更迅速(P<0.05);随着生长光强的增加,暗适应初始气孔导度(g_s-i)显著升高;完成光合诱导中最大净光合速率30%(t_30%P)、50%(t_50%P)和90%(t_90%P)所需的时间与g_s-i呈负相关.高光处理的植株PSⅡ实际光化学效率(ΔF/F_m′)、光化学猝灭(q_P)和电子传递速率(ETR)较高,且在光合诱导过程中所对应的非光化学猝灭(NPQ)值相对较高,而低光处理具有较高的反应中心激发能捕获效率(F_v′/F_m′).高光处理非光化学耗散途径比例(Ф_NPQ)较低,而低光处理Ф_NPQ则相对较高.表明喜阴植物谢君魔芋在中低光下生长时受到高光胁迫能够启动快速耗散机制来保护自身光合机构,长期处于高光环境则采用增加热耗散成本和形成淬灭复合物的策略在一定程度上应对高光胁迫,这可能是其不能很好适应高光环境的原因之一.     

濒危植物银杉幼树对生长光强的季节性光合响应

银杉(Cathayaargyrophylla)是我国松科中特有的单种属植物,被认为处于濒危状态。在对银杉群落多年调查研究的基础上,针对银杉幼树生长过程对光强的需求特性,我们开展了银杉幼树对光的适应性研究。试验在人工培育的银杉苗圃地,采用遮荫的方法设置不同的光环境处理(100%、45%和3%自然光强),利用气体交换技术和叶绿素荧光技术测定了3种光强下银杉叶片光合生理指标的变化,探讨了不同光环境下银杉幼树光合能力在夏季和冬季的变化及其对生长光强的响应等。结果表明:在夏季银杉生长旺盛时期,遮荫导致叶片最大光合速率(Pnmax)、羧化效率(CE)下降,但不同叶龄叶片的下降幅度不同。随生长光强的下降,银杉幼树的光补偿点(LCP)和光饱和点(LSP)有所降低,但全晴天时,低光强(3%自然光强)条件下实际的光辐射量高于当年生叶片光补偿点的累积时间约6h,而且与光饱和的区域相差极大,造成全天碳同化量低,同化物累积少,严重影响了银杉幼树的正常生长。在不同处理中全光强条件下银杉幼树长势最好,45%光强条件下幼树生长减慢。冬季银杉最大光合速率(Pnmax)、羧化效率(CE)值均低于夏季,光补偿点(LCP)和光饱和点(LSP)也较夏季降低。全光照条件下无论是当年生叶片和一年生叶片,在冬季均出现了轻微光抑制现象,适度遮荫有利于银杉抵御冬季光抑制。无论在遮荫或不遮荫条件下,冬季银杉叶片将所吸收的相对过剩光能通过非辐射途径耗散出去,表现出一种光保护策略。     

不同品种小豆光合作用和生长发育对弱光的响应

为确定小豆作为林果行间套种作物的适宜性,通过田间试验和盆栽试验,测定全光和弱光处理(全光的48%)下3个小豆品种(阜南绿小豆、早熟黑小豆、晚熟黑小豆)在初花期的叶片光合特征参数、光合色素含量和RuBPCase活性,研究小豆生长发育对弱光的响应.结果表明: 弱光使3个品种小豆叶片的最大净光合速率、光饱和点、光补偿点等光合参数不同程度地向耐荫的方向变化,净光合速率、水分利用效率和RuBPCase活性也显著下降;遮阴后,阜南绿小豆的叶绿素a和b含量显著增加,Chl a/b和类胡萝卜素含量显著降低,其他小豆的叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量无明显变化;弱光使3个品种小豆的生物量和干物质积累效率降低,根冠比降低,根瘤量减少,叶片数和叶面积指数减小;弱光胁迫下,阜南绿小豆提前开花、提前成熟,早熟黑小豆推迟开花、延迟成熟,而晚熟黑小豆只开花不结实.从遮阴后小豆的光合特性变化和生长发育差异等方面综合考虑,3个小豆品种的耐阴能力大小为:阜南绿小豆>早熟黑小豆>晚熟黑小豆.     

遮阴对闽楠叶绿素含量和光合特性的影响

为探讨闽楠对不同光环境的光合适应机制,以2年生闽楠幼苗为材料,设置3个光照处理(全光照、遮光率50%和遮光率78%),适应6个月后,测定其叶绿素含量、气体交换和叶绿素荧光同步数据,研究不同光环境处理对闽楠叶片叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光参数和光合特性的影响.结果表明: 3种光照处理下,闽楠叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b、叶绿素(a+b)和类胡萝卜素含量大小次序为78%遮光率>50%遮光率>全光照,但不同光照处理对闽楠叶绿素a/b值没有显著影响.遮阴条件下,闽楠叶片光补偿点(LCP)降低,光饱和点(LSP)和表观量子效率(AQY)升高,说明遮阴条件下闽楠叶片对弱光和强光的利用能力均有所提高;最大净光合速率(P_{n max})、光下暗呼吸速率(R_d)和最大电子传递速率(J_max)均增大.在不同处理间,闽楠叶片净光合速率(P_n)、CO₂气孔导度(g_sc)、胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)和叶肉导度(g_m)均存在显著差异.P_n和g_m的大小顺序为: 78%遮光率>50%遮光率>全光照.78%遮光率处理下g_sc显著大于全光照.50%遮光率条件和78%遮光率条件下C_i均显著小于全光照.78%遮光率条件下PSⅡ实际光量子产量(F_v′/F_m′)、PSⅡ光化学效率(Φ_PSⅡ)和电子传递速率(J)均显著大于50%遮光率条件和全光照.由此可知,在遮阴条件下闽楠可以通过增加叶绿素含量、AQY、J、g_sc和g_m来增大光合能力.     

The ratio of leaf to total photosynthetic area influences shade survival and plastic response to light of green-stemmed leguminous shrub seedlings

Different plant species and organs within a plant differ in their plastic response to light. These responses influence their performance and survival in relation to the light environment, which may range from full sunlight to deep shade. Plasticity, especially with regard to physiological features, is linked to a greater capacity to exploit high light and is usually low in shade-tolerant species. Among photosynthetic organs, green stems, which represent a large fraction of the total photosynthetic area of certain species, are hypothesized to be less capable of adjustment to light than leaves, because of biomechanical and hydraulic constraints. The response to light by leaves and stems of six species of leguminous, green-stemmed shrubs from dry and high-light environments was studied by growing seedlings in three light environments: deep shade, moderate shade and sun (3, 30 and 100 % of full sunlight, respectively). Survival in deep shade ranged from 2 % in Retama sphaerocarpa to 74 % in Ulex europaeus. Survival was maximal at moderate shade in all species, ranging from 80 to 98 %. The six species differed significantly in their ratio of leaf to total photosynthetic area, which influenced their light response. Survival in deep shade increased significantly with increasing ratio of leaf to total photosynthetic area, and decreased with increasing plasticity in net photosynthesis and dark respiration. Responses to light differed between stems and leaves within each species. Mean phenotypic plasticity for the variables leaf or stem specific mass, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a/b ratio, and carotenoid to chlorophyll ratio of leaves, was inversely related to that of stems. Although mean plasticity of stems increased with the ratio of leaf to total photosynthetic area, the mean plasticity of leaves decreased. Shrubs with green stems and a low ratio of leaf to total photosynthetic area are expected to be restricted to well-lit habitats, at least during the seedling stage, owing to their inefficient light capture and the low plasticity of their stems.     

Shade adaptation of photosynthesis in Coffea arabica

The effect of irradiance on the rate of net photosynthesis was measured for mature leaves of coffee grown under five levels of radiation from 100% to 5% daylight. The rate of light-saturated photosynthesis per unit leaf area (P_Nmax) increased from 2 mol CO₂ m^-2 s^-1 under 5% daylight to 4.4 mol CO₂ m^-2 s^-1 under 100% daylight. The photon flux density (PAR, photosynthetically active radiation) needed for 50% saturation of photosynthesis, as well as the light compensation point, also increased with increasing levels of irradiation during growth. The quantum efficiency of photosynthesis (), measured by the initial slope of the photosynthetic response to increasing irradiance, was greater under shaded growth conditions. The rate of dark respiration was greatest for plants grown in full daylight. On the basis of the increase in the quantal efficiency of photosynthesis and the low light compensation point when grown under shaded conditions, coffee shows high shade adaptation. Plants adjusted to shade by an increased ability to utilize short-term increases in irradiance above the level of the growth irradiance (measured by the difference between photosynthesis at the growth irradiance, P_Ng, and P_Nmax).