红松幼苗对CO2浓度升高的生理生态反应

研究了用开顶箱控制CO₂浓度在500和700μmol·mol^-1左右时红松幼苗的生理生态反应.结果表明,高浓度CO₂(500、700μmol·mol^-1CO₂)和对照(对照开顶箱、裸地)条件下,红松幼苗的净光合速率与气孔导度之间的变化不同.红松幼苗在500μmol·mol^-1CO₂条件下,RuBPcase活性最高,呈现光合上调反应,日平均净光合速率最大,叶绿素及可溶性糖含量最高;而生长在700μmol·mol^-1CO₂的红松幼苗呈现光合下调反应,光合作用明显低于对照植株,其酶活性及物质含量均最低.     

不同光环境下栓皮栎和刺槐叶片光合光响应模拟

植物的光合作用在一定程度上能够体现其对生境的响应情况.采用Li-6400XT光合测定系统,测定了黄河小浪底森林生态系统定位研究站栓皮栎和刺槐人工林林内、林缘叶片气体交换的光响应曲线,利用叶子飘模型对光合作用-光响应进行了拟合,分析了林内和林缘光合参数的差异,将气孔导度机理模型与光合作用-光响应修正模型进行耦合,研究了气孔导度(g_s)的光响应特征.结果表明: 7-8月,当光强小于200 μmol·m^-2·s^-1时,林内栓皮栎叶片净光合速率(P_n)高于林缘叶片,初始量子效率(α)高于林缘叶片12.4%,林内栓皮栎叶片对弱光的捕获和利用能力明显高于林缘叶片;当光强大于200 μmol·m^-2·s^-1时,林缘栓皮栎叶片光合能力P_n高于林内.低光强下(0~200 μmol·m^-2·s^-1),林内刺槐叶片P_n高于林缘;当光强大于200 μmol·m^-2·s^-1时,林内刺槐叶片P_n低于林缘,且暗呼吸速率(R_d)和光补偿点(I_c)分别低于林缘50.0%和42.8%,以此来减少碳损耗,适应较低的光合速率.林内和林缘刺槐g_s随光强的变化差异显著.栓皮栎和刺槐叶片对不同光环境具有较强的适应能力.栓皮栎叶片的最大净光合速率(P_{n max})和α主要受气孔导度控制,R_d和I_c主要受气温影响.刺槐叶片的P_{n max}和α均与气温呈显著正相关,I_c、光饱和点(I_s)与叶片饱和水汽压差呈显著正相关.     

日光温室冬季增施CO2对切花红掌光合作用及生长发育的影响

针对切花红掌日光温室冬季生产时CO₂亏缺严重的现象,以不增施CO₂为对照,研究了增施700、1000、1300 μmol·mol^-1浓度CO₂对切花红掌‘火焰’光合特性和生长发育的影响.结果表明: 增施60 d CO₂,红掌叶片的净光合速率、胞间CO₂浓度和水分利用效率均显著提高,且以1000 μmol·mol^-1处理的增幅最大;而气孔导度则较对照显著下降.增施CO₂后,红掌叶片的可溶性糖、淀粉和可溶性蛋白含量均较对照显著增加,佛焰苞大小、色泽、花茎长度等切花品质参数,以及叶片发育质量参数和花茎生长速率均有不同程度的提高,且均以1000 μmol·mol^-1浓度最佳.增施1000 μmol·mol^-1的CO₂可以有效促进日光温室切花红掌的冬季生产.     

日光温室冬季增施CO2对切花红掌光合作用及生长发育的影响

针对切花红掌日光温室冬季生产时CO₂亏缺严重的现象,以不增施CO₂为对照,研究了增施700、1000、1300 μmol·mol^-1浓度CO₂对切花红掌‘火焰’光合特性和生长发育的影响.结果表明: 增施60 d CO₂,红掌叶片的净光合速率、胞间CO₂浓度和水分利用效率均显著提高,且以1000 μmol·mol^-1处理的增幅最大;而气孔导度则较对照显著下降.增施CO₂后,红掌叶片的可溶性糖、淀粉和可溶性蛋白含量均较对照显著增加,佛焰苞大小、色泽、花茎长度等切花品质参数,以及叶片发育质量参数和花茎生长速率均有不同程度的提高,且均以1000 μmol·mol^-1浓度最佳.增施1000 μmol·mol^-1的CO₂可以有效促进日光温室切花红掌的冬季生产.     

水稻叶片光合作用对开放式空气CO2浓度增高(FACE)的响应与适应

利用便携式光合气体分析系统(LI-6400),比较测定了高CO₂浓度(FACE,free-airCO₂enrichment)和普通空气CO₂浓度下生长的水稻叶片的净光合速率、水分利用率、表观量子效率和RuBP羧化效率等光合参数.在各自生长CO₂浓度(380vs580μmol·mol^-1)下测定时,高CO₂浓度(580μmol·mol^-1)下生长的水稻叶片的净光合速率、碳同化的表观量子效率和水分利用率明显高于普通空气(380μmol·mol^-1)下生长的水稻叶片.但是,随着FACE处理时间的延长,高CO₂浓度对净光合速率的促进作用逐渐减小.在相同CO₂浓度下测定时,FACE条件下生长的水稻叶片净光合速率和羧化效率明显比普通空气下生长的对照低.尽管高CO₂浓度下生长的水稻叶片的气孔导度明显低于普通空气中生长的水稻叶片,但两者胞间CO₂浓度差异不显著,因此高CO₂浓度下生长的水稻叶片光合下调似乎不是由气孔导度降低造成的.     

不同CO2浓度下大豆叶片的光合生理生态特性

CO₂是光合作用的原料和底物,影响着光合作用的进程和光合产物的数量.利用Li-6400-40B同时测量大豆叶片在不同CO₂浓度(300、400、500和600 μmol·mol^-1)下的光合电子传递速率和光合作用对光的响应曲线,并用构建的光合作用对光响应机理模型拟合这些光响应曲线,获得大豆叶片一系列的光合参数、生理生态参数和捕光色素分子的物理参数.结果表明: 电子利用效率、最大电子传递速率和最大净光合速率随CO₂浓度的升高而增加;光补偿点和暗呼吸速率随CO₂浓度的升高而下降;光能利用效率和内禀(瞬时)水分利用效率随CO₂浓度的升高而增加,不同CO₂浓度下的最大光能利用效率和最大内禀(瞬时)水分利用效率之间存在显著差异,但不同CO₂浓度下的最大羧化效率的差异不显著.CO₂浓度的大小对光合作用中原初光反应存在一定程度的影响,即高CO₂浓度有利于减小捕光色素分子处于最低激发态的最小平均寿命,以提高光能传递的速度及增加大豆光合电子流的利用效率.     

不同CO2浓度下大豆叶片的光合生理生态特性

CO₂是光合作用的原料和底物,影响着光合作用的进程和光合产物的数量.利用Li-6400-40B同时测量大豆叶片在不同CO₂浓度(300、400、500和600 μmol·mol^-1)下的光合电子传递速率和光合作用对光的响应曲线,并用构建的光合作用对光响应机理模型拟合这些光响应曲线,获得大豆叶片一系列的光合参数、生理生态参数和捕光色素分子的物理参数.结果表明: 电子利用效率、最大电子传递速率和最大净光合速率随CO₂浓度的升高而增加;光补偿点和暗呼吸速率随CO₂浓度的升高而下降;光能利用效率和内禀(瞬时)水分利用效率随CO₂浓度的升高而增加,不同CO₂浓度下的最大光能利用效率和最大内禀(瞬时)水分利用效率之间存在显著差异,但不同CO₂浓度下的最大羧化效率的差异不显著.CO₂浓度的大小对光合作用中原初光反应存在一定程度的影响,即高CO₂浓度有利于减小捕光色素分子处于最低激发态的最小平均寿命,以提高光能传递的速度及增加大豆光合电子流的利用效率.     

不同CO2浓度下番茄幼苗叶片的光能利用效率

光能利用效率(LUE)是评价植物叶片光能利用能力的重要参数,更是影响生态系统生产力大小和质量的主要因素.本文基于植物光合作用对光响应的机理模型推导出植物叶片的光能利用效率模型以及叶片的最大光能利用效率(LUE_max)和对应的饱和光强(I_L-sat)的数学表达式,并用光能利用效率模型研究了番茄幼苗叶片在CO₂浓度分别为350、450、550和650 μmol·mol^-1下的光能利用效率.拟合结果表明: 所推导的叶片光能利用效率模型可以很好地描述4种CO₂浓度条件下番茄幼苗叶片的光能利用效率;在这4种CO₂浓度条件下,番茄的LUE_max在光合有效辐射(I)为70～90 μmol·m^-2·s^-1时就可以达到;番茄在CO₂浓度为550和650 μmol·mol^-1时叶片的LUE_max和I_L-sat没有差异.产生这种现象的原因可能是由于番茄幼苗长时间处于较低光强下,番茄幼苗叶片的光合功能已经适应了低光强环境,以致于高CO₂浓度难以改变它的捕光色素分子的内秉特性,如有效光能吸收截面以及处于激发态和基态色素的比例等.     

不同CO2浓度下番茄幼苗叶片的光能利用效率

光能利用效率(LUE)是评价植物叶片光能利用能力的重要参数,更是影响生态系统生产力大小和质量的主要因素.本文基于植物光合作用对光响应的机理模型推导出植物叶片的光能利用效率模型以及叶片的最大光能利用效率(LUE_max)和对应的饱和光强(I_L-sat)的数学表达式,并用光能利用效率模型研究了番茄幼苗叶片在CO₂浓度分别为350、450、550和650 μmol·mol^-1下的光能利用效率.拟合结果表明: 所推导的叶片光能利用效率模型可以很好地描述4种CO₂浓度条件下番茄幼苗叶片的光能利用效率;在这4种CO₂浓度条件下,番茄的LUE_max在光合有效辐射(I)为70～90 μmol·m^-2·s^-1时就可以达到;番茄在CO₂浓度为550和650 μmol·mol^-1时叶片的LUE_max和I_L-sat没有差异.产生这种现象的原因可能是由于番茄幼苗长时间处于较低光强下,番茄幼苗叶片的光合功能已经适应了低光强环境,以致于高CO₂浓度难以改变它的捕光色素分子的内秉特性,如有效光能吸收截面以及处于激发态和基态色素的比例等.     

太行山南麓栓皮栎和刺槐光合作用-CO2响应模拟

采用便携式光合仪(Li-6400XT)对太行山南麓栓皮栎、刺槐2个树种叶片光合作用-CO₂响应曲线进行测定,利用直角双曲线模型(RH)、非直角双曲线模型(NRH)以及直角双曲线的修正模型—叶子飘模型(YZP)进行曲线拟合,并对3种光合模型的拟合参数(最大净光合能力A_max、初始羧化速率η、光呼吸速率R_p、CO₂补偿点CCP和CO₂饱和点CSP)进行比较.结果表明: 与NRH和YZP模型相比,RH模型所得的A_max、η、R_p和CCP较高,分别高出实测值59.8%、128.6%、133.4%和19.8%.与RH模型和YZP模型相比,NRH模型拟合得出的A_max较大,高于实测值11.1%,η、R_p和CCP接近于实测值.YZP模型能较好地模拟光合作用对CO₂的饱和现象,在A_max和CSP的拟合效果上较好.栓皮栎阴叶的A_max、R_p和CCP比阳叶分别低31.3%、5.2%和14.3%.刺槐阴叶的A_max、R_p和CCP分别高出阳叶23.5%、11.0%和5.4%.栓皮栎、刺槐阴叶的η分别比阳叶高6.9%和7.0%.刺槐叶片的R_p和CCP与温度、光强均具有显著线性关系,η与气孔导度(g_s)具有显著线性关系.栓皮栎叶片的η与光强和气孔导度具有显著线性关系,CCP主要受温度和湿度影响.栓皮栎叶片的A_max与相对湿度和g_s具有显著的正线性相关关系.     

光合作用光响应模型的比较

 用美国Li-Cor公司生产的Li-6400光合作用测定仪控制CO₂浓度和温度, 测量了华北平原冬小麦(Triticum aestivum)的光响应数据。分别用C₃植物光响应新模型、直角双曲线模型、非直角双曲线模型和Prado-Moraes模型拟合这些实测数据, 分析了由直角双曲线模型、非直角双曲线模型和Prado-Moraes模型拟合这些数据得到的最大净光合速率(The maximum net photosynthetic rate)远大于实测值, 而光饱和点(Light saturation point)远小于实测值的原因。结果表明, 由C₃植物光响应新模型拟合的结果与实测数据符合程度最高(R²=0.999 4和R²=0.998 7); 表观量子效率(Apparent quantum yield)不是一个理想的表示植物利用光能的指标, 建议用植物光响应曲线在光补偿点处的量子效率作为表示植物光能利用的指标。     

北方粳稻光合速率、气孔导度对光强和CO2浓度的响应

 以东北地区主栽的粳稻（Oryza sativa var. japonica）品种为对象,用美国LI-cor公司生产的Li 6400光合作用测定仪控制光强、CO2浓度和温度等环境条件,阐述了光合作用和气孔导度对光和CO2浓度的响应特征及其耦合关系。结果表明,光合速率随光强或CO2浓度的提高而增大,均遵循米氏响应;在不同CO2浓度下,表观量子效率随CO2浓度的提高而增大,但CO2浓度达到800 μmol•mol－1以上时,表观量子效率有所减小;在不同光强下,表观羧化效率也随光的增强而增大,但光强达到1 600 μmol•m-2•s-1以上时,表观羧化效率也有所减小;在光强和CO2浓度协同作用下,光合速率的响应遵循双底物的米氏方程,在光强和CO2浓度均趋于饱和时,北方粳稻（品种：辽粳294）剑叶的潜在最大光合速率为71.737 8 μmol•m-2•s-1,表观量子效率为0.056 0 μmolCO2•μmol-1 photons,表观羧化效率为0.103 1 μmol•m-2•s-1/μmol•mol－1。气孔导度也随光的增强而增大,对光强的响应规律也可以用Michaelis-Menten曲线模拟,而叶面CO2浓度的提高会使气孔导度减小,气孔导度（Gs）对叶面CO2浓度（Cs）的响应可以用Gs=Gmax,c/(1+Cs/Cs0)的双曲线方程模拟。在光强(PFD)和CO2浓度协同作用下,气孔导度可以用式Gs=Gmax(PFD/PFDc)/［(1+PFD/PFDc)(1+Cs/Cs0)］+Gct估算,当CO2浓度趋于0而光强趋于饱和时,北方粳稻的潜在最大气孔导度（Gmax）为0.670 9 mol•m-2•s-1。在光强和CO2浓度协同作用下,Ball-Berry模型及其修正形式依然能很好地表达气孔导度-光合速率的耦合关系,并且用叶面饱和水汽压差（Ds）修正耦合关系中的相对湿度可以提高模拟精度。     

光响应曲线的指数改进模型与常用模型比较

光响应曲线的参数是研究植物生理状态的重要指标, 常用的光响应曲线模型无法准确地计算出光饱和点和最大净光合速率。该文利用光响应曲线新模型——指数改进模型、直角双曲线模型、直角双曲线修正模型、非直角双曲线模型和指数模型, 拟合高粱(Sorghum bicolor)、苋(Amaranthus tricolor)、大麦(Hordeum vulgare)和半夏(Pinellia ternata)的光响应曲线, 并随机选取部分数据进行检验, 得到了各模型计算出的主要生理参数, 并对这些数据进行了比较分析, 讨论了各模型之间的优缺点和准确性, 描述了C₃、C₄植物光响应的适宜性。结果表明, 基于C₃植物得到的指数改进模型和直角双曲线修正模型能较准确地计算出C₃、C₄植物饱和光强和最大净光合速率, 并在描述光响应曲线时比另外3个模型具有更高的精确性和适宜性。实验结果可为光响应曲线模型在C₃和C₄光合途径植物中的应用提供参考。     

Long Term Effects of High CO2 Concentration on Photosynthesis of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms)

The photosynthetic response to CO₂ concentration, light intensityand temperature was investigated in water hyacinth plants (Eichhorniacrassipes (Mart.) Solms) grown in summer at ambient CO₂ or at10000 µmol(CO₂) mol^–1 and in winter at 6000 µmol(CO₂)mol^–1 Plants grown and measured at ambient CO₂ had highphotosynthetic rate (35 µmo1(CO₂) m^–2 s^–1),high saturating photon flux density (1500–2000) µmolm^–2 s^–1 and low sensitivity to temperature in therange 20–40 °C. Maximum photosynthetic rate (63 µmol(CO₂)m^–2 s^–1) was reached at an internal CO₂ concentrationof 800 µmol mol^–1. Plants grown at high CO₂ in summerhad photosynthetic capacities at ambient CO₂ which were 15%less than for plants grown at ambient CO₂, but maximum photosyntheticrates were similar. Photosynthesis by plants grown at high CO₂and high light intensity had typical response curves to internalCO₂ concentration with saturation at high CO₂, but for plantsgrown under high CO₂ and low light and plants grown under lowCO₂ and high light intensity photosynthetic rates decreasedsharply at internal CO₂ concentrations above 1000 µmol^–1. Key words: Photosynthesis, CO₂, enrichment, Eichhornia crassipes     

显脉金花茶的光合生理特性研究

采用LI-6400便携式光合测定系统(Li-Cor Inc., USA)对显脉金花茶光合特性进行研究。结果表明：(1)在夏季,显脉金花茶叶片的P_n日变化呈单峰曲线,最高峰出现在中午11：00。其最大净光合速率（P_max）为3.81 μmol·m^-2·s^-1、光饱和点（LSP）为459.9 μmol·m^-2·s^-1、光补偿点（LCP）为6.9 μmol·m^-2·s^-1。显脉金花茶的光饱和点和光补偿点都比较低,表明其是一种阴生植物。（2）在控制光照强度和温度的条件下,CO₂浓度小于800 μmol·mol^-1,P_n几乎呈直线上升,升高CO₂浓度可使显脉金花茶的净高合速率增大,提高了叶片对光能的利用率。其叶片CO₂饱和点(CSP)大约在1 200 μmol·mol^-1左右,CO₂的补偿点（Г^*）为70.1 μmol·mol^-1,最大羧化速率（V_cmax）为17.5 μmol·m^-2·s^-1,最大电子传递速率（J_max）为40 μmol·m^-2·s^-1。     

Flag Leaf Photosynthesis of Triticum aestivum and Related Diploid and Tetraploid Species

Rates of net photosynthesis of the flag leaves of 15 genotypesof wheat and related species were measured throughout theirlife, using intact leaves on plants grown in the field. At thestage when rates were maximal, they were in general highestfor the diploid species, intermediate for the tetraploidspeciesand lowest for Triticum aestivum (means of 38, 32 and 28 mgCO₂ dm^–2 h^–1 respectively). Rates were stronglynegatively correlated with leaf area, leaf width and the meanplan area per mesophyll cell and positvely correlated with stomatalfrequency and number of veins per mm of leaf width. The differencesamong species in these attributes were mainly related to ploidylevel. It was not possible to determine the relative importanceof each anatomical feature, though the changes in stomatal frequencyhad only slight effects on stomatal conductance and the observeddifferences in rates of photosynthesis were much greater thanwould be expected from those in stomatal conductance alone. There was genetic variation in rates of light dependent oxygenevolution of isolated protoplasts and intact chloroplasts butno difference attributable to ploidy. The mean rate, 91 µmolO₂ mg^–1 chlorophyll h^–1, equivalent to 3.9 mg CO₂mg^-1chlorophyll h^-1 was considerably less than the rate of photosynthesisin comparable intact leaves, which was 7.2 mg CO₂ mg^–1chlorophyll h^–1. The total above-ground dry matter yields were least for thewild diploids T. urartu and T. thauodar and the wild tetraploidT. dicoccoides, but the other wild diploids produced as muchdry matter as the hexaploids. The prospects of exploiting differences in photosynthetic ratein the breeding of higher yielding varieties are discussed. Triticum aestivum L., wheat, Aegilops spp, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, stomatal frequency, polyploidy     

Effect of growth irradiance on the maximum photosynthetic capacity of water hyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms]

We grew water hyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms]for 60 days in a greenhouse under natural light and in a controlledenvironment room at 31/25?C day/night temperatures and 90, 320and 750/µEm^–2sec^–1. We then determined maximumphotosynthetic rates in 21% and 1% oxygen, stomatal diffusionresistances, contents of chlorophyll and soluble protein, andthe size and density of the photosynthetic units (PSU) in representativeleaves from the four treatments. In air containing 21% oxygen,maximum photosynthetic rates were 14, 27 and 29 mg CO₂ dm^–2hr^–1for plants grown in artificial light at 90, 320 and 750µEm^–2sec^–1,respectively. Plants grown in natural light (maximum of 2000µEm^–2sec^–1) had maximum photosynthetic ratesof 34 mg CO₂ dm^–2hr^–1. In all treatments, photosyntheticrates in 1% oxygen were about 50% greater than rates in normalair, indicating the presence of photorespiration in water hyacinth.There was no apparent relationship between maximum photosyntheticrate per unit leaf area and stomatal conductance, chlorophyllcontent per unit area, or PSU density per unit area. However,the higher maximum photosynthetic rates were associated withgreater mesophyll conductances, specific leaf weights and proteincontents per unit area. When plants grown at 90µEm^–2sec^–1for 120 days were transferred to 750µEm^–2sec^–1for 5 days, only young leaves that were just beginning to expandat the time of transfer exhibited adaptation to the higher irradiance.The 40% increase in light-saturated photosynthetic rate in theseyoung leaves was associated with increases in mesophyll conductance,soluble protein content per unit area, and specific leaf weight. ¹ Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station cooperating. (Received July 19, 1978; )     

Responses of CO2 assimilation to changes in irradiance: laboratory and field data and a model for beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The responses of net CO₂ assimilation to sudden changes in irradiancewere studied in Phaseolus vulgaris L. in the laboratory andthe field. For irradiance changes between 50 µmol m^–2s^–1 to 350 µmol m^–2 s^–1 in the laboratory,assimilation rate increased with half-times of 2.7 and 4.1 minin well-watered and water-stressed plants, respectively. Ina field experiment with a change in irradiance from 400 to 1200µmol m^–2 s^–1 the response was faster (half-time=c.1.2 min). In all cases when irradiance was returned to a lowvalue, assimilation declined rapidly with a half-time of approximately1 min, which approached the time resolution of the gas-exchangesystem. The corresponding changes in stomatal conductance in responseto both increasing and decreasing irradiance were much slowerthan the assimilation responses, indicating that biochemicalprocesses, rather than CO₂ supply, primarily determined theactual rate of assimilation in these experiments. The conceptof stomatal limitation to photosynthesis is discussed in relationto these results. A simple model for assimilation in a fluctuating light environmentis proposed that depends on a steadystate light response curve,an ‘induction lag’ on increasing irradiance, andan induction-state memory. The likely importance of taking accountof such induction lags in natural canopy microclimates is considered. Key words: Models, Phaseolus vulgaris, photosynthetic induction, CO₂ assimilation, stomatal limitation, sunflecks, water stress     

杨树无性系光合特征的研究

对新培育的金科系列的4个杨树无性系（3^#、6^#、8^#、9^#）的光合特征及净光合速率、水分利用效率与主要影响因子的关系进行了研究。结果表明：不同月份4个无性系的净光合速率的日进程一般在10:00左右达到峰值,然后逐渐降低;蒸腾速率日进程不尽一致;气孔导度在7:00～9:00出现峰值后,缓慢下降。在6～8月,4个无性系的净光合速率的总平均值(μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1)排序为：无性系9^#（8.53）>6^#>（7.21）3^#（6.47）>8^#（4.98）;蒸腾速率的总平均值(mmol H₂O·m^-2·s^-1)排序为：无性系9^#（3.74）>3^#（2.76）>6^#（1.76）>8^#（1.47）;水分利用效率的总平均值(mmol CO₂·mol^-1 H₂O)排序为：无性系8^#（4.77）>6^#（4.35）>3^#（2.99）>9^#（2.40）。4个无性系的净光合速率与水分利用效率的排序并不一致。9^#属于高光合、高蒸腾、低水分利用效率类型,8^#属低光合、低蒸腾、高水分利用效率类型。在6月份6^#无性系的净光合速率和水分利用效率与温度、湿度显著相关,3^#、8^#、9^#无性系与光合有效辐射和气孔导度密切相关。     

A Model for C3 Leaves Describing the Dependence of Net Photosynthesis on Irradiance: II. APPLICATION TO THE ANALYSIS OF FLAG LEAF PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Measurements of the photosynthesis-light response of flag leavesin a winter wheat crop were made during the period from maximumelongation until complete senescence. Immediately followingleaf elongation, the maximum rates of photosynthesis and thevalues of efficiency at low light were in the range 2.8–3.6g CO₂ m^–2 h^–1 and 8–11 µg CO₂ J^–1respectively. The shape of the photosynthesis-light responseremained constant throughout and was close to a ‘Blackman’type response rather than a rectangular hyperbola. The resultswere analysed, therefore, using a more recent model which isa non-rectangular hyperbola. Stomatal and internal resistanceswere equally important in limiting the maximum rate of photosynthesis.