臭柏异形叶解剖结构及其抗旱性的比较

以成熟臭柏(Sabina vulgaris)为试验材料,使用徒手切片法观测臭柏鳞叶和刺叶的解剖结构,分析叶片解剖结构与其抗旱适应的关系,以揭示臭柏异形叶机制的生态意义,为臭柏在干旱半干旱地区植被恢复与重建中的推广应用提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)鳞叶角质层厚度极显著大于刺叶,而近轴面和远轴面的表皮系统厚度均极显著小于刺叶,说明鳞叶主要通过较厚的角质层防止水分散失,而刺叶主要通过较厚的整个表皮系统来保持水分。(2)鳞叶的气孔开张比、气孔开张度、气孔长度和宽度均极显著大于刺叶,而气孔密度极显著小于刺叶,说明鳞叶较耐旱,刺叶依赖较大的气孔密度和灵敏的气孔关闭来应对干旱胁迫。(3)鳞叶和刺叶的叶片厚度和主脉厚度无显著差异,但鳞叶的栅栏组织厚度、海绵组织厚度、栅/海、叶片组织紧密度和树脂道面积均显著或极显著大于刺叶,木质部厚度、木/维和叶片组织疏松度均极显著小于刺叶,说明鳞叶可通过较大的栅/海、紧密的叶片结构来适应干旱,而刺叶通过增强输导组织来应对干旱。研究认为,鳞叶忍耐干早能力较强,而相对鳞叶来说,刺叶主要通过逃避的方式来应对干旱。     

水分梯度对沙地柏幼苗荧光特征和气体交换的影响

 为了探讨未来降雨变化对半干旱毛乌素沙地常绿灌木沙地柏(Sabina valgaris Ant．)荧光特征和气体交换的影响,在内蒙古鄂尔多斯沙地草地生态站开展了水分梯度实验。结果表明：水分梯度对初始荧光、可变荧光、最大量子产量、最大荧光／初始荧光比的影响均不显著;相反,显著影响净光合比率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、胞间CO2/大气CO2,水分利用效率、表观CO2利用效率和表观光能利用效率。这些结果指示,在一个实验期,土壤水分变化显著影响沙地柏幼苗的“表观性”气体交换和资源利用效率,并不显著影响光系统Ⅱ的“内在性”荧光特征。气体交换和资源利用效率对水分变化的响应格局因生理指标不同而存在差异。净光合速率对接近土壤最大持水量的施水处理最敏感。     

两个品种圆茄嫁接苗与自根苗的某些光合特性比较

旺盛生长期的圆茄嫁接苗功能叶片的净光合速率（Pn）显著高于自根苗;嫁接苗与自根苗功能叶片的Pn日变化均呈双峰曲线,但中午时前者的Pn下降幅度较后者小;光补偿点（LCP）、CO2补偿点（CCP）和光合冷限温度前者比后者低,光饱和点（LSP）、CO2饱和点（CSP）和光合热限温度比后者高;两者的光合最适温度没有明显差异。     

二倍体、四倍体和六倍体小麦产量及水分利用效率

试验选用了6个不同染色体倍性的小麦进化材料（3个二倍体、2个四倍体和1个六倍体）,分别在不同水肥条件下研究其根系、地上生物量、产量、蒸腾耗水量和水分利用效率等指标,旨在阐明小麦进化材料产量及水分利用效率的差异及水肥条件对这些特性的影响。试验表明：不同倍性小麦进化材料的生物量、产量和水分利用存在显著的差异,而且水肥条件对其有显著影响。在染色体倍性由2n→4n→6n的进化过程中,小麦根系及地上生物量均先增加后降低,而产量却显著增加,这与收获指数的增加有关。小麦产量的大小顺序为：T.aestivum〉T.dicoccum〉T.dicoccoides〉Ae.squarrosa〉Ae.speltoides〉T.boeoticum。水分亏缺显著降低小麦的生物量、产量和收获指数;在不同水分条件下,增加施肥量有利于这些指标的增加。但是水分亏缺下,增加施肥却降低各小麦材料的根系生物量。随小麦的进化,蒸腾耗水量显著降低,这与其生育期缩短有关;而生物量水分利用效率和产量水分利用效率却显著升高,且后者的差异要大于前者。各小麦产量水分利用效率的大小排序与产量的完全一致。水分亏缺处理显著减少各小麦进化材料的蒸腾耗水量47％～52％,而显著增加生物量水分利用效率3％～40％;但水分亏缺对产量水分利用效率的促进作用却随染色体倍性的增加而降低,甚至降低六倍体小麦T.aestivum的产量水分利用效率19％。不同水分条件下,高肥处理均有利于蒸腾耗水量、生物量水分利用效率和产量水分利用效率的增加。     

水分因对沙地柏实生苗水分和生长特征的影响

为探讨未来降雨条化对半干旱气候区毛乌素沙地常绿优势灌木沙地柏（Sabina vulgaris)实生苗水分和生长特征的可能影响。在鄂尔多斯沙地草地生态站开展了模拟降雨变化的实验,水分饱和亏缺和组织密度随土壤水分含量提高而降低,失水系数却相反,这表明沙地柏实生苗的保水抗旱性随模拟降雨量增加而降低。水分梯度对枝茎面积比无显著影响,叶质量茎面积比和叶质量枝面积比随土壤分含量增大击降低。这意味着实生苗分枝的供水潜力随水分可利用性提高而降低,水分变化显著影响生物量分配,而对形态和植冠生产力指数均显著影响;生物量、株高和茎茎增量的变化反映了沙地柏生长的缓慢性,系对水分变化的敏感性高于叶和茎,地下部分生物量投资随水分可利用性提高而增大,这暗示沙地柏实生苗可能通节约利用水分方适应自生境中的水分胁迫。     

濒危植物绵刺光合的生理生态学特征

使用Li-6200便携式光合测定仪,测定了自然状况下绵刺的净光合速率,蒸腾速率,水分利用效率以及气象因子在9：00-19：00的日进程,以白刺等旱生植物为对照。进行了对比研究。研究结果表明,绵刺的日平均净光合速率为8.832μmol·m^-2·s^-1,小于白刺的日平均净光合速率9.449μmol·m^-2·s^-1;绵刺的水分利用效率大于白刺,在13：00之前差异最为明显;同其它沙旱生植物相比,其净光合速率和水分利用效率均介于多种旱生植物之间;绵刺的净光合速率同各个气象因子的相关均不显,水分利用效率同气温以及相对温度之间呈极显相关,与气温,相对温度以及大气CO2浓度之间存在的多元线性关系。相关方程为YWUE=6.306 0.633XRH-0.178XTA 0.0164Xco2。     

水分因素对沙地柏实生苗水分和生长特征的影响

为探讨未来降雨变化对半干旱气候区毛乌素沙地常绿优势灌木沙地柏(Sabina vulgaris)实生苗水分和生长特征的可能影响，在鄂尔多斯沙地草地生态站开展了模拟降雨变化的实验。水分饱和亏缺和组织密度随土壤水分含量提高而降低，失水系数却相反，这表明沙地柏实生苗的保水抗旱性随模拟降雨量增加而降低。水分梯度对枝茎面积比无显著影响，叶质量茎面积比和叶质量枝面积比随土壤水分含量增大而降低，这意味着实生苗分枝的供水潜力随水分可利用性提高而降低。水分变化显著影响生物量分配，而对形态和植冠生产力指数均无显著影响；生物量、株高和基茎增量的变化反映了沙地柏生长的缓慢性。根系对水分变化的敏感性高于叶和茎，地下部分生物量投资随水分可利用性提高而增大，这暗示沙地柏实生苗可能通过节约利用水分方式适应自然生境中的水分胁迫。     

CO2浓度升高对沉水克隆植物生长速率及营养元素积累的影响

 研究在不同CO2浓度下水生克隆植物刺苦草（Vallisneria spinulosa）整个生活周期中生长的动态变化及对营养元素积累情况。在不损伤植物体的前提下,采用刺苦草形态学指标组合史估计了植株生物量的动态变化。结果表明：刺苦草鳞茎的萌发不受CO2浓度变化的影响。在高浓度CO2即(1000±50) μmol·mol-1下,刺苦草源株地上部分生长速率在整个生长前期和中期都远远高于低浓度CO2即(400±20) μmol·mol-1,而在后期则出现相反的现象,其中一个原因是因为高浓度CO2下后期光合物质向地下大量转移形成鳞茎引起地上部分生长减慢。但高浓度CO2下克隆株中的初级和次级分株生长速率均高于低浓度CO2。在两种CO2浓度下相同克隆植株构件中的总碳含量没有明显差异;除鳞茎外,根、叶、匍匐茎中的总磷含量随CO2浓度升高显著增加;由于各构件生物量增加有明显差异,导致叶和鳞茎因为生物稀释作用而使其含氮量降低了12%～14%,但根和茎中含量基本保持不变。在高浓度CO2中植株总生物量显著升高,所以总碳、总氮和总磷吸收量均显著大于在低浓度CO2中的吸收量。研究结果揭示,大气CO2浓度升高对沉水克隆植物生长的促进,有利于提高水生克隆植物在群落中的竞争能力;水生植物克隆生长将增加水生生态系统中碳的沉积;水环境中N、P含量将直接影响到水生克隆植物生长。     

CO2浓度升高和干旱对春小麦生长和水分利用的生态效应

利用开顶式气室对春小麦进行了一个生长季的CO2倍增盆栽实验,土壤水分控制为3个水平（分别为田间持水量（FWC）的80％,60％,40％）。结果显示,CO2倍增显提高小麦的光合速率。但在相同的CO2测定浓度下,生长在加倍CO2浓度下的小麦的光合速率比当前CO2浓度下小麦低22％。高CO2浓度显促进小麦生长,相对增加幅度在适宜水分下最大为14．8％。80％FWC水分条件下高CO2使植株的干重／高度比增加15．7％,高CO2条件下,小麦的蒸腾速率降低,累积耗水量减少,水分利用效率（WUE）提高,WUE的提高幅度在适宜水分下最大,为30％。干旱（40％FWC）使小麦地上干重和WUE在当前CO2条件下分别降低72％和19％,加倍CO2条件下降低幅度较大,分别为76％和23％。根据以上结果得出结论：（1）高CO2条件下,小麦的光合速率,地上生物量和水分利用效率提高;（2）植物长期生长于高CO2浓度导致光合能力降低;（3）高CO2对植物侧向生长的促进作用大于垂直生长,即高CO2下植株将相对粗壮;（4）高CO2对植物的生态效应依赖于土壤水分,在适宜水分下相对较大;（4）在未来高CO2条件下,干旱引起的减产和水分利用效率减低幅度将会更大。     

不同苗龄沙地柏抗旱生理特性比较研究

以相同来源的1、3、5年生沙地柏幼苗为材料,采用室内生长池人工控水模拟不同干旱胁迫条件,对10个抗旱相关生理指标进行考察,探讨沙地柏苗龄对其抗旱特性影响。结果表明:（1）沙地柏叶片的保水力、细胞膜透性、RuBP羧化酶活性在胁迫前不同苗龄间差异显著,而叶片相对水分亏缺、气孔导度等指标不同龄苗间差异不显著。（2）在干旱胁迫条件下,随土壤含水量的降低,不同苗龄沙地柏的叶片水分亏缺、气孔导度差异一直不显著,而其净光合速率、蒸腾速率、水分利用率、胞间CO₂浓度在6.78%土壤水分含量时出现显著差异;当土壤水分含量降低到4.52%时,不同苗龄的叶片光量子效率也出现显著差异。（3）各苗龄组随着干旱胁迫的加剧,5年生沙地柏净光合速率、RuBP羧化酶活性、光量子效率显著低于1年生沙地柏,而其胞间CO₂浓度显著高于1、3年生沙地柏,并且其气孔导度、蒸腾速率随土壤水分含量降低而下降的幅度最大,水分利用率增加幅度比1、3年生的更多。研究表明,不同苗龄沙地柏幼苗抗旱性指标对干旱胁迫的响应程度存在差异,抗旱指标对苗龄的稳定性不同;干旱胁迫条件下低苗龄沙地柏比高苗龄的生长势更强,更有生命活力,但高苗龄沙地柏对水分胁迫的适应能力强于低苗龄;另外,在进行抗旱鉴定时,试验苗木年龄最好一致,抗旱鉴定指标选取也需考虑其对材料年龄的敏感性及稳定性。     

冬小麦对有限水分高效利用的生理机制

通过对不同土壤供水条件下的孕穗开花期的冬小麦叶片CO₂/H₂O气体交换参数的系统测定,研究了光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)、细胞间隙CO₂浓度(Ci)、叶温(Tl)与水分利用效率(WUE)间的关系。结果表明,WUE并不随Pn的增长直线增长,而是呈现出二次曲线的变化趋势;只有当蒸腾达到一定程度时,Tr才对WUE产生影响,而Tr过大时WUE则有下降的趋势;WUE与Ci呈负相关,随Ci的增加WUE呈递减趋势;叶温升高对光合和蒸腾都有促进作用,当超过了某种限度则表现为抑制作用,表明在一定温度范围内,Tl升高对水分利用不利;随Gs的增大,WUE增大到一定程度则不再增加,甚至出现一种回落趋势.     

Gas Exchange,Leaf Structure,and Hydraulic Features in Relation to Sex,Shoot Form,and Leaf Form in An Evergreen Shrub Sabina vulgaris in the Semi-Arid Mu Us Sandland in China

We examined differences in net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), water use efficiency (WUE), ratio of substomatal to atmospheric CO₂ concentration (C _i/C _a), cuticle thickness (CT), epidermis cell size (ECS), mesophyll cell size (MCS), vascular bundle size (VBS), tissue density (TD), and coefficient of water loss (k) in Sabina vulgaris as related to sex, shoot form, and leaf form. P _N, E, WUE, C _i/C _a, MCS, VBS, and k varied with sex, whereas CT, ECS, and TD did not. These differences in physiology and anatomy between the female and male plants may be closely related with their reproduction behaviour. P _N, E, C _i/C _a, CT, ECS, MCS, and VBS were significantly smaller in the erect shoots than in the prostrate shoots, WUE was just opposite; TD and k did not vary with shoot form. These changes in physiology with shoot form indicate that erect shoots may be more tolerant of water stress than prostrate shoots. P _N, E, C _i/C _a, TD, and k were significantly greater in the spine leaves than in the scale leaves, whereas WUE, CT, ECS, MCS, and VBS followed the opposite trends. The changes in physiology and anatomy with leaf form suggest that scale leaves have higher drought-resistant and water-holding capacities than spine leaves. Measurements of field gas exchange showed that three-year-old seedlings had lower drought-resistance and higher water loss than five-year-old seedlings, which provides some evidence that seedling survival decreases with decreasing plant age.     

Leaf age effects on photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and nitrogen content in a tropical dry forest

This study examines the effect of leaf age on photosynthesis, transpiration and nitrogen concentration in four deciduous (DC) and two evergreen (EG) species coexisting in a tropical dry forest of Venezuela. Leaf age was characterized on the basis of leaf chorophyll, nitrogen content, and construction and maintenance costs. The mean leaf area-based nitrogen concentration (N) in EG was about twice that in DC species. A leaf age effect was observed in both DC and EG species, with largest N concentration in mature leaves. Fractional leaf N allocation to chlorophyll was higher in the DC than in the EG species. Differences in the construction costs of leaf mass between the youngest and the oldest leaves averaged from 2.14 to 1.55 g glucose g⁻¹ dry weight. Although variation in area-based leaf maintenance and construction costs between DC and EG species existed, they were, nevertheless, positively correlated. Individual data sets, for each species, indicated that leaf N and maximum rate of photosynthesis (A_max) were linearly related. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and water use efficiency (WUE) tended to be higher in mature leaves than in expanding and old leaves. Moreover, DC species always had higher NUE than EG species. Intercellular to ambient pressures of CO₂ (P_i/P_a) were related to WUE in a negative manner. Higher P_i/P_a values were observed in expanding and old leaves. Leaf age effect on photosynthesis was, therefore, due to greater decline of carbon fixation capacity by mesophyll tissue relative to the decline in stomatal conductance in youngest and oldest leaves.     

EFFECT OF LEAF ANGLE AND ORIENTATION ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND WATER RELATIONS IN SILPHIUM TEREBINTHINACEUM

Leaf angle and orientation were measured for 217 leaves from two populations of Silphium terebinthinaceum Jacq., a prairie forb with large, unlobed leaves. Seventy-five percent of leaves measured had an angle of deviation from horizontal of more than 60°, and 60% were oriented within 15° of North. Incident Photon Flux Density (PFD), leaf temperature, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance to CO₂, internal CO₂ concentration, transpiration, and water use efficiency (WUE) were measured on 67 pairs of leaves with the axes oriented in either a North-South (N–S) or East–West (E–W) direction. Leaves with axes oriented N–S intercepted higher levels of PFD during morning and afternoon and exhibited higher diurnal rates of photosynthesis and WUE. Leaf temperature was reduced in N–S leaves during midday as compared to E–W leaves, and was lower in vertical leaves than in those in a horizontal position. Therefore, it was concluded that leaf orientation and verticality enhance carbon gain and minimize water loss—characteristics which may have adaptive significance in a hot, stressful prairie environment.     

不同植物叶片水分利用效率对光和CO2的响应与模拟

植物叶片水分利用效率的高低取决于气孔控制的光合作用和蒸腾作用两个相互耦合的过程,模拟水分利用效率对环境变化的响应特征和机制是理解生态系统碳循环和水循环及其耦合关系的基础。研究通过人工控制光强和CO₂浓度,对叶片水分利用效率进行了研究。提出了植物水分利用效率在光强和CO₂浓度共同作用下的估算模型。数据分析表明,该模型在包括C3和C4植物、草本和木本植物在内的9种植物上能很好地模拟水分利用效率对光强和CO₂浓度共同作用的响应。该模型可以用于估算CO₂浓度升高条件下光合速率的提高和蒸腾速率的降低对水分利用效率提高的贡献量。CO₂浓度变化条件下,水分利用效率在不同植物之间有巨大差异,研究区域尺度植物的水分利用效率时至少需要将植物区分为C4植物和C3植物,其中C3植物区分为草本和木本植物3种生态功能型才能较为准确地估算植物的整体水分利用效率。应用本研究提出的水分利用效率估算模型和植物水分利用效率生态功能型分类标准,可以为建立以植物的水分利用效率为基本参数的陆地生态系统水循环模型和陆地生态系统生产力模型提供重要依据。     

Leaf shape linked to photosynthetic rates and temperature optima in South African <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pelargonium</Emphasis> species

The thermal response of gas exchange varies among plant species and with growth conditions. Plants from hot dry climates generally reach maximal photosynthetic rates at higher temperatures than species from temperate climates. Likewise, species in these environments are predicted to have small leaves with more-dissected shapes. We compared eight species of Pelargonium (Geraniaceae) selected as phylogenetically independent contrasts on leaf shape to determine whether: (1) the species showed plasticity in thermal response of gas exchange when grown under different water and temperature regimes, (2) there were differences among more- and less-dissected leafed species in trait means or plasticity, and (3) whether climatic variables were correlated with the responses. We found that a higher growth temperature led to higher optimal photosynthetic temperatures, at a cost to photosynthetic capacity. Optimal temperatures for photosynthesis were greater than the highest growth temperature regime. Stomatal conductance responded to growth water regime but not growth temperature, whereas transpiration increased and water use efficiency (WUE) decreased at the higher growth temperature. Strikingly, species with more-dissected leaves had higher rates of carbon gain and water loss for a given growth condition than those with less-dissected leaves. Species from lower latitudes and lower rainfall tended to have higher photosynthetic maxima and conductance, but leaf dissection did not correlate with climatic variables. Our results suggest that the combination of dissected leaves, higher photosynthetic rates, and relatively low WUE may have evolved as a strategy to optimize water delivery and carbon gain during short-lived periods of high soil moisture. Higher thermal optima, in conjunction with leaf dissection, may reflect selection pressure to protect photosynthetic machinery against excessive leaf temperatures when stomata close in response to water stress.     

Panicum milioides (C(3)-C(4)) does not have improved water or nitrogen economies relative to C(3) and C(4) congeners exposed to industrial-age climate change

The physiological implications of C(3)-C(4) photosynthesis were investigated using closely related Panicum species exposed to industrial-age climate change. Panicum bisulcatum (C(3)), P. milioides (C(3)-C(4)), and P. coloratum (C(4)) were grown in a glasshouse at three CO(2) concentrations ([CO(2)]: 280, 400, and 650?μl l(-1)) and two air temperatures [ambient (27/19?°C day/night) and ambient + 4?°C] for 12 weeks. Under current ambient [CO(2)] and temperature, the C(3)-C(4) species had higher photosynthetic rates and lower stomatal limitation and electron cost of photosynthesis relative to the C(3) species. These photosynthetic advantages did not improve leaf- or plant-level water (WUE) or nitrogen (NUE) use efficiencies of the C(3)-C(4) relative to the C(3) Panicum species. In contrast, the C(4) species had higher photosynthetic rates and WUE but similar NUE to the C(3) species. Increasing [CO(2)] mainly stimulated photosynthesis of the C(3) and C(3)-C(4) species, while high temperature had no or negative effects on photosynthesis of the Panicum species. Under ambient temperature, increasing [CO(2)] enhanced the biomass of the C(3) species only. Under high temperature, increasing [CO(2)] enhanced the biomass of the C(3) and C(3)-C(4) species to the same extent, indicating increased CO(2) limitation in the C(3)-C(4) intermediate at high temperature. Growth [CO(2)] and temperature had complex interactive effects, but did not alter the ranking of key physiological parameters amongst the Panicum species. In conclusion, the ability of C(3)-C(4) intermediate species partially to recycle photorespired CO(2) did not improve WUE or NUE relative to congeneric C(3) or C(4) species grown under varying [CO(2)] and temperature conditions.     

干旱区胡杨光合作用对高温和CO2浓度的响应

采用LI-6400便携式光合作用测定仪实测的塔里木河下游胡杨(Populus euphratica oliv)光合作用参数,探讨了不同地下水埋深下的胡杨光合作用对CO2浓度增加和温度升高的响应.结果表明:(1)CO2浓度升高减小了胡杨气孔导度,促进了光合速率、胞间CO2浓度和水分利用效率的增加,但不同地下水埋深下,胡杨光合作用参数对CO2浓度升高的响应不同,干旱环境(地下水埋深较深)下的响应程度大于水分适宜(地下水埋深浅)环境下的响应;(2) 高温引起胡杨气孔发生不完全关闭,导致了光合作用的光抑制发生,从而降低了胡杨光合速率,但降低程度受水分条件的影响,地下水埋深较深环境下的影响程度大于地下水埋深浅的;(3)地下水埋深是控制干旱区胡杨光合作用对CO2浓度和温度升高的根本因素,6m是胡杨生长正常的临界地下水埋深,地下水埋深>6m,胡杨即遭到水分胁迫,地下水埋深>7m,胡杨即受到了较严重的水分胁迫.     

Specification of adaxial and abaxial stomata, epidermal structure and photosynthesis to CO2 enrichment in maize leaves

Acclimation to CO2 enrichment was studied in maize plants grown to maturity in either 350 or 700 microl l-1 CO2. Plants grown with CO2 enrichment were significantly taller than those grown at 350 microl l-1 CO2 but they had the same number of leaves. High CO2 concentration led to a marked decrease in whole leaf chlorophyll and protein. The ratio of stomata on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces was similar in all growth conditions, but the stomatal index was considerably increased in plants grown at 700 microl l-1 CO2. Doubling the atmospheric CO2 content altered epidermal cell size leading to fewer, much larger cells on both leaf surfaces. The photosynthesis and transpiration rates were always higher on the abaxial surface than the adaxial surface. CO2 uptake rates increased as atmospheric CO2 was increased up to the growth concentrations on both leaf surfaces. Above these values, CO2 uptake on the abaxial surface was either stable or increased as CO2 concentration increased. In marked contrast, CO2 uptake rates on the adaxial surface were progressively inhibited at concentrations above the growth CO2 value, whether light was supplied directly to this or the abaxial surface. These results show that maize leaves adjust their stomatal densities through changes in epidermal cell numbers rather than stomatal numbers. Moreover, the CO2-response curve of photosynthesis on the adaxial surface is specifically determined by growth CO2 abundance and tracks transpiration. Conversely, photosynthesis on the abaxial surface is largely independent of CO2 concentration and rather independent of stomatal function.     

Experimental Study and Mathematical Simulation of Water Use Efficiency in Wheat Leaves Affected by Some Environmental Factors

By incorporating Ball-Berry model of stomatal conductance into the models of photosynthesis and transpiration, a model of leaf water use efficiency (WUE) as affected by several environmental variables [irradiance (Ⅰ), vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and atmospheric CO2 concentration (Ca) ] was constructed. Because the environmental variables influenced the photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate in different ways, the changes of leaf WUE with these factors were quite complicated. The rates of photosynthesis and transpiration of wheat leaves were also measured in the phytotron where the environmental variables were kept within certain ranges, and leaf WUE was calculated therefrom. The results of simulation fit quite well with the measurements except at high Ca.