The Effect of Shading on the Photosynthetic Rate and Longevity of Grass Leaves

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Abstract
The rate at which the net photosynthesis of grass leaves grown in bright light (119 W m−2) decreased as they aged was increased by severe shading (to 21 W m−2 or less). However, less severe shading (light intensities of 36 W m−2 or more) had no effect. The decrease in photosynthesis was unaffected by whether the whole plant was shaded or only the leaf whose photosynthesis was measured. In both shaded and unshaded leaves, photosynthesis measured in bright light fell faster as the leaf aged than did photosynthesis in dim light. Both mesophyll and stomatal diffusion resistances rose as the leaf aged but the former rose faster. The chlorophyll content fell only towards the end of the life of the leaves.

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