Growth,photosynthesis and carbon metabolism in the temperate marine diatom Skeletonema costatum adapted to low temperature and low photon-flux density

The temperate diatom Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cleve was grown in low temperature and/or low light conditions. The cultures were acclimatized for at least three months before experiments were begun. Our data indicate that the initial slope of the photosynthesis vs irradiance curve () is controlled predominantly by light history and the light-saturated photosynthesis (P _max) by temperature. The number of divisions per day decreased with decreasing light intensity, but was identical for cultures grown at 3° or 18°C. The metabolic pathways of inorganic carbon fixation were not fundamentally affected by low temperature or low light intensity, but both these factors increased labelling of C₃ compounds, synthesized by the Calvin-Benson cycle, and decreased that of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and other metabolites. This indicates an enhancement of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase activity, which is the first step in the C₃ pathway (3-phosphoglycerate and sugar phosphate synthesis); this may optimize cell functions. At low temperatures, a seven-fold increase in RuBP carboxylase activity per cell was observed. S. costatum is able to adapt to low irradiance by increasing and decreasing I _k (the ratio of P _max:, light intensity at onset of light saturation), and to low temperature by increasing its cellular chlorophyll a and RuBP carboxylase content. However, in the latter case, adaptation is not optimal. This study revealed two main features: (1) there is evidence that RuBP carboxylase has a key function in adjustment to high rates of photosynthesis at suboptimal temperatures or irradiances; (2) adaptive mechanisms are dynamic processes and the role of the time scale in physiological adaptation should be considered.     

Toxic effects of coal fly ash on wheat seedlings

We studied heavy metal (HM) stress on wheat seedlings (AK-58) with and without coal fly ash (CFA) exposure. Three CFA spray rates were used to simulate air quality of the second level. Results show airborne particulates can directly enter plant leaves, affecting the whole plant. HM deposition decreases seedling size and mass and reduces activities of the chlorophyll family, photosynthesis enzymes (RuBP and PEPC), and photosynthesis efficiency. In leaves, HM deposition increases with the CFA spray rate. In roots, however, CFA exposure seems to reduce HM deposition, compared with the control without CFA exposure. A possible reason is that HM deposition in leaves from airborne particulates hinders photosynthesis, weakens the whole physiology of the seedlings, and consequently reduces root absorption of HMs from soil. CFA leads to chloroplast expansion, layer-stack disorder of grana, plastoglobule increase, and even chlorophyll membrane damage.     

8种植物叶片对城市大气苯并（a）芘（BaP）的吸收比较

城市化及汽车的发展导致城市大气中多环芳烃（PAHs）含量较高,强致癌作用污染物苯并（a）芘（BaP）含量也相应增高。植物是大气环境天然的过滤器,能滞留、吸附和累积空气中多种污染物。选择广州市8种常见行道树,4种乔木：红花羊蹄甲（Bauhiniablakeana）、腊肠树（Cassiafistula）、高山榕（Ficus...     

Effect of ambient air sulphur dioxide on sulphate accumulation in plants

Present study deals with the relationship between ambient air sulphurdioxide and sulphate content in leaf of selected tropical plant species, Ficus religiosa. The study reveals a positive correlation between ambient air sulphur dioxide and sulphate in the leaves. Two way ANOVA finds the obtained values to be highly significant (p < 0.001). Amount of sulphate in leaves shows positive correlation with sulphur dioxide in air (p < 0.001) during most part of the study A marked reduction of sulphate content in leaf was found during October when reduction in ambient air sulphur dioxide was recorded.     

Effect of manganese toxicity on pigment content,Hill activity and photosynthetic rate of Vigna radiata L. Wilczek seedlings

Effect of different concentrations, viz. 10(-4) M, 5 x 10(-4) M, 10(-3) M and 5 x 10(-3) M of manganese sulphate (MnSO4, 7H2O) on chlorophyll, carotenoid pigment content and photosynthesis of mungbean seedlings was examined Progressive increase in manganese sulphate concentration upto 5 x 10(-3) M brought about a progressive decrease in total chlorophyll and chl a content. Chl b content changed very little by excess manganese treatment. Total carotenoid pigment content decreased considerably in comparison to control with every concentration of manganese sulphate tried here. Hill activity of chloroplasts isolated from leaves of mungbean seedling and rate of photosynthesis in terms of CO2 uptake showed progressive reduction along with the increase in concentration of the manganese.     

臭氧胁迫对水稻的光合损伤与施氮的缓解作用

利用稻/麦O3-FACE（Ozone-free air controlled enrichment）试验平台,以杂交籼稻汕优63（SY63）和常规籼稻扬稻6（YD6）两个耐性不同的水稻（Oryza sativa L.）品种为材料,根据净光合速率和叶绿素荧光参数指标,研究分蘖期和抽穗期增施氮（N）肥对O3胁迫导致的水稻光合损伤的缓解作用。结果表明：（1）增施N肥可以减轻O3对SY63和YD6净光合速率（Pn）的影响,且前期增施N肥效果更显著。（2）O3升高条件下SY63和YD6的最大光量子效率（Fv/Fm）、实际光量子效率（ΦPSⅡ）和光化学猝灭（qP）有下降趋势,PSⅡ所吸收光能用于光化学部分（P%）减少,热耗散部分（D%）增加;提高施N量可减小O3引起的叶绿素荧光参数的变化幅度,有利于提高光合效率,其中增施分蘖肥的效果较理想。（3）大气O3体积分数升高会降低SY63和YD6的N素总积累量,增施N肥后有上升趋势,且前期施N肥增幅较大。总之增施氮肥在一定程度上可缓解O3对SY63和YD6的光合损伤,且在水稻生长前期增施效果更好。     

铜胁迫对高丹草和紫花苜蓿生长和光合特性的影响

以高丹草（Sorghum×S.sudanes）和紫花苜蓿（Medicago sativa L.）为试验材料,通过水培试验,研究了不同浓度Cu处理对两种牧草生长及光合特性的影响。试验结果显示,随着Cu处理浓度增加,两种牧草叶、茎、根生物量逐渐下降,并在100μmol.L-1 Cu2＋处理后达到显著水平。Cu胁迫导致两种牧草气孔导度、RuBP羧化酶的最大羧化效率、最大电子传递速率调控的RuBP再生的潜在速率和磷酸丙糖利用中有机磷的释放速率、以及叶绿素质量分数降低,最终导致净光合速率降低。Cu胁迫下,两种牧草二氧化碳饱和点和二氧化碳饱和点净光合速率降低,而二氧化碳补偿点却升高。另外,Cu处理还降低了两种牧草的蒸腾速率和日间呼吸速率。且在光合、蒸腾和呼吸作用参数的变化幅度上高丹草要大于紫花苜蓿。这些结果表明Cu胁迫抑制了两种牧草的生长、光合作用、蒸腾作用和呼吸作用,而且对高丹草的抑制作用要强于紫花苜蓿;Cu胁迫下光合作用的下降不仅与气孔导度的下降相关,而且与光反应和暗反应的受阻有关。这些研究结果可为筛选和培育耐Cu和富集Cu的牧草品种和用牧草修复铜污染水体及土壤提供依据。     

大气中PAN的测定及其与前体物的关系

对北京中关村地区大气ＰＡＮ的监测结果表明：在强日照条件下，ＰＡＮ浓度随汽车等排放和ＮＯ２浓度的增加而增加，高ＰＡＮ浓度水平与高Ｏ３浓度相关联；夏季的ＰＡＮ浓度明显高于春季。模拟实验的结果证实：Ｃ３Ｈ６是大气中重要的ＰＡＮ前体物，在一定范围内，其浓度越高，ＰＡＮ浓度越大；Ｃ２Ｈ４生成ＰＡＮ是困难的，Ｈ２Ｏ２的存在对Ｃ２Ｈ４反应生成ＰＡＮ有促进作用；大气中ＳＯ２的存在可降低ＰＡＮ的生成速率。在〈４００     

不同形态磷对黑藻生长和生理特性的影响

研究了Hoagkand培养液中分别以磷酸二氢钾、焦磷酸钠、六偏磷酸钠、甘油磷酸钠、ATP-Na为磷源时黑藻的生长及生理活性变化.获得了不同形态磷培养黑藻的干重、根系生长以及叶绿素含量、光合、呼吸、磷含量等指标.研究结果表明,磷酸二氢钾对黑藻的生长及生理活性影响最显著,是黑藻吸收的最佳磷形态;有机磷不利于根系生长,叶绿素a/b较高;六偏磷酸钠和焦磷酸钠促进根系早发,光合生产力低于磷酸二氢钾,叶绿素a/b高于磷酸二氢钾试验组.ATP-Na试验组黑藻呼吸率最高,甘油磷酸钠试验组黑藻光合生产力最高.各实验组黑藻磷含量均增加,黑藻对各形态磷均能吸收利用.图5表4参24     

大气汞浓度升高对水稻叶片生理效应的影响研究

采用大田开顶式气室熏气实验,研究大气汞浓度升高对水稻叶片气体交换参数、脯氨酸、丙二醛的积累以及超氧化物歧化酶活性的影响。实验结果显示,水稻叶片净光合速率(Pn)和气孔导度(Gs)随大气汞浓度的升高均较对照略微下降,表明大气汞浓度的升高对水稻光合作用和气孔开放程度有一定影响;扬花期水稻胞间CO2浓度(Ci)随大气汞浓度的升高明显降低(P0.05)表明Pn的略微下降属于气孔限制,同时蒸腾速率(Tr)显著增加(P0.01)表明大气汞对水稻的蒸腾生理功能有一定的影响。乳熟期水稻叶片气体交换参数与大气汞浓度无显著差异(P0.05),且各指标均低于扬花期。水稻叶片脯氨酸(Pro)含量在拔节期随大气汞浓度的升高而显著增加(P0.05),扬花期先升高后下降,在45 ng·m-3时达到最大,成熟期无显著差异(P0.05);水稻叶片丙二醛(MDA)含量在拔节期先升高后下降,45 ng·m-3时达到最大,扬花期和成熟期均无显著差异(P0.05);水稻叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性在拔节期先升高后下降,15 ng·m-3时达到最大,扬花期无显著差异(P0.05)。以上结果表明大气汞浓度的升高可以引起水稻叶片膜脂过氧化以及脯氨酸和丙二醛含量的积累,且随着体内Pro、MDA和SOD对大气汞胁迫的协同反应,水稻对逆境的适应能力增强,对汞胁迫产生了耐受性。     

Effect of freezing on photosynthesis of intertidal macroalgae: relative tolerance of Chondrus crispus and Mastocarpus stellatus (Rhodophyta)

The effect of freezing on photosynthetic metabolism was studied in the red algae, Chondrus crispus and Mastocarpus stellatus. Plants of both species were collected from the intertidal at Chamberlain or Kresge Point, Maine, USA (43°56N, 69°54W) between February and March 1987. Photosynthetic rates were measured immediately after freezing at-20°C and following recovery periods in seawater. Photosynthesis in C. crispus declined rapidly following freezing, falling to 70% of control values within 1 h and 30% after 3 h exposure. Minimum photosynthetic rates (7 to 9% of controls) occurred following freezing exposures of 12 h or more. Full photosynthetic recovery in C. crispus after 3 h at-20°C required 48 h. Photosynthesis in C. crispus did not fully recover in plants frozen for 6 h or more. In contrast, photosynthesis in M. stellatus was relatively unaffected by freezing exposures of <12 h. Twelve hours or more at-20°C reduced photosynthesis to 55% of controls. Photosynthesis in M. stellatus fully recovered from 24 h at-20°C within 24 h. In both species the reduction of photosynthesis by freezing was associated with damage to the plasma membrane and reduced efficiency of energy transfer from phycobilisomes to chlorophyll a, but did not appear to involve ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase activity. The freezing tolerance of C. crispus and M. stellatus positively correlates with their respective intertidal distributions, suggesting that freezing may be involved in controlling the distributions of these species on the shore.     

Diurnal rhythms in netplankton and nannoplankton assimilation ratios

Surface nannoplankton and netplankton photosynthetic rates and chlorophyll a concentrations were measured 3 h before and 3 h after local apparent noon at 36 stations in the eastern Pacific. Morning and afternoon nannoplankton and netplankton photosynthetic capacities were plotted against chlorophyll a concentrations. Comparison of am (morning) and pm (afternoon) regression coefficients revealed that neither netplankton nor nannoplankton photosynthetic efficiencies varied diurnally in temperate California Current waters. However, in oligotrophic tropical surface waters where the photosynthetic rates of both fractions were nitrogen limited, netplankton assimilation ratios exhibited an afternoon maximum, while nannoplankton efficiencies exhibited a morning maximum. The netplankton followed the same pattern in eutrophic tropical surface waters with high nitrate concentrations, but nannoplankton assimilation ratios were highest in the afternoon. Assuming that midday light intensities inhibit surface photosynthesis, it was concluded that assimilation ratios will reach a mid-morning or mid-afternoon maximum depending upon the relative importance of netplankton and nannoplankton productivity and the degree to which nutrients are limiting.     

6种观赏植物吸收甲醛能力比较研究

城市住宅的室内空气污染十分严重,甲醛已经成为中国目前室内空气中的首要污染物.在已有的报道中,盆栽观赏植物吸收甲醛的效果并未排除盆土的净化能力,由此植物净化效果显然缺乏科学性.选用6种常用室内观赏植物,将盆土与茎叶部分隔开,放入自行研制的甲醛熏蒸箱中,对植物进行熏蒸实验.测得熏蒸前后甲醛的变化量和植物叶面积,以净吸收率及单位叶面积甲醛减少量来比较6种植物吸收甲醛能力的大小.主要结论如下:(1)甲醛质量浓度是国际标准(0.08 mg·m~(-3))23倍情况下,6种观赏植物均能吸收空气中的甲醛,且因种类不同吸收能力大小不一.吸收甲醛能力排序为:广东万年青(Aglaonema modestum)>绿萝(Epipremnum aureum)>垂叶榕(Ficus benjamina)>虎尾兰(Sansevieria trifasciata)>龟背竹(Monstera deliciosa)>四季秋海棠(Begonia semperflorens-hybr.).单位叶面积植物吸收甲醛量依次为:广东万年青绿萝>虎尾兰>龟背竹>垂叶榕>四季秋海棠.(2)甲醛质量浓度是国际标准(0.08mg·m~(-3))57倍情况下,6种观赏植物吸收甲醛能力排序为:垂叶榕>虎尾兰>绿萝>广东万年青>龟背竹>四季秋海棠.单位叶面积植物吸收甲醛量依次为:虎尾兰>垂叶榕>龟背竹>广东万年青>绿萝>四季秋海棠.(3)根据净吸收率及单位叶面积吸收甲醛量的差异,将植物的吸收能力分为两类,吸收甲醛能力较强的植物有:广东万年青、绿萝、虎尾兰、龟背竹、垂叶榕(与空白组相比有显著性差异(P<0.05));较低的植物有:四季秋海棠(与空白组相比无显著性差异).     

The concept of light intensity adaptation in marine phytoplankton: Some experiments with Phaeodactylum tricornutum

The historical background on adaptation of algae to various light intensities is analysed. It is argued that there is little evidence to suggest that previous growth at low light intensities enhances the ability of an alga to utilize these low light levels. Rather, the published evidence suggests that the most general response to growth at sub-optimal light intensities is a reduced ability to utilize saturating levels. The present experiments with Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin have tested this concept of light intensity adaptation. Changing photosynthetic abilities during batch growth depended on the light intensity used for growth and these changes affected interpretations of the data. When measurements were made intensities appeared to photosynthesize (at all intensities) better than did those grown at higher light levels. When the changes during batch growth were taken into account, or when the alga was grown in turbidostat cultures, a different picture was obtained. Growth at reduced light intensities was accompanied by (a) increased chlorophyll content, (b) decreased rate of light-saturated photosynthesis expressed on a chlorophyll, cell number or cell protein basis, and (c) decreased activity of RuDP carboxylase. One result suggested that growth at a suboptimal light intensity did enhance the ability to utilize lower light levels. The light-saturation curve of cells grown in batch culture at 0.7 klux showed higher slopes at the low light intensities than did those grown at 12 klux. This was most marked when photosynthesis was expressed per cell, but was also apparent when it was put on a per chlorophyll basis.     

酸雨对生菜的光合、抗氧化系统和产量的影响研究

目前国内外有关酸雨对植物生长危害的影响研究多集中在森林植物和粮食作物,而酸雨对叶菜类蔬菜生长的相关研究较少。酸雨的频发可能会影响蔬菜的生长,进而降低蔬菜产量。为探究酸雨对叶菜类蔬菜生理和产量的影响,选取生菜(Lactuca sativa L.var.ramosa Hort.)作为试验材料,采用野外原位研究方法,探究模拟酸雨(pH梯度为3.0、4.0、5.0)和自然降水(CK)对生菜光合、抗氧化系统和产量的影响。结果表明,pH 4.0和5.0酸雨对生菜光合系统影响不显著,pH 3.0酸雨对生菜光合系统影响显著;在整个试验期内,pH 3.0酸雨显著降低生菜净光合作用8.4%—17.0%。pH 3.0、4.0和5.0酸雨均显著提高生菜超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量,表明酸雨会激活生菜抗氧化系统,同时会对生菜叶片膜系统造成损伤;在第20天后,pH 3.0酸雨下生菜过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性显著下降13.8%%—35.2%。pH 5.0酸雨对生菜产量影响不显著;pH 4.0和3.0酸雨显著降低生菜地上部产量,分别降低14.6%和16.7%。pH 3.0酸雨使生菜地下部产量显著降低19.0%。综上可见,模拟酸雨对生菜的光合系统、抗氧化酶系统和产量均产生显著影响,且酸雨对生菜的影响阈值在pH 4—5之间,pH 4.0以下的酸雨明显降低生菜产量,但酸雨强度为pH 5.0时已存在生菜减产的风险,研究结果可为生菜栽培的相关农户以及决策部门提供参考。     

浮尘对冬小麦叶片光合作用及细胞膜透性的影响

我国是浮尘发生频繁的国家。浮尘作为一种灾害性天气不仅直接危害作物,而且通过减少直接辐射,减缓冰雪融化,减少河水流量,改变土壤性质等间接影响作物的生长发育。因此,深入研究浮尘对作物的影响具有重要意义。但目前,国内外的学者主要偏重研究人为粉尘和工业污染物对野生植物及绿化植物的影响,较少关注自然降尘对作物的影响;特别是在长期浮尘胁迫下冬小麦叶片的气孔导度、净光合速率、细胞质膜相对透性等生理指标的变化很少有研究。通过模拟降尘和盆栽试验,研究了拔节期和盛花期的降尘对冬小麦叶片温度（Tleaf）、叶绿素含量（Chl）、游离脯氨酸含量（Pro）、净光合速率（Pn）、气孔导度（Gs）、胞间CO2浓度（Ci）、细胞膜透性的影响（MP）。结果表明,降尘使拔节期和盛花期冬小麦的净光合速率分别下降52%和43.9%,差异均显著（P〈0.05）;降尘还增大细胞膜透性,破坏了冬小麦自身调节系统,使拔节期和盛花期的叶绿素含量分别下降14.4%和20.4%,达到极显著差异（P〈0.01）;降尘还使拔节期叶片的气孔导度下降到对照的26.9%（P〈0.05）,同时叶面温度升高,脯氨酸含量增加38.2%。     

水分条件对中山杉406光合特性的影响

采用室内盆栽方式,以两年生落羽杉属杂交树种＂中山杉406＂（Taxodium‘Zhongshanshan 406’）为试验材料,设置对照、渍水和淹水3种处理,研究了水分条件对中山杉406叶片的叶绿体色素、净光合速率（Pn）、蒸腾速率（Tr）、气孔导度（Gs）和胞间CO2摩尔分数（Ci）等光合特性的影响。结果表明,中山杉406的叶绿素a、叶绿素a＋b和类胡萝卜素质量分数随土壤水分增加而逐渐降低,但处理间均无显著差异。同样,不同处理间的Tr、Gs和Ci等光合参数无明显规律。光合-光强响应曲线表现出明显的光饱和限制。不同光强下,对照与淹水处理的中山杉406叶片净光合速率高于渍水处理,但处理间没有显著差异。而光饱和在对照处理显著（P〈0.05）高于渍水和淹水处理。在渍水和淹水下,中山杉406的光合特性没有发生明显变化,表明其具有良好的耐湿耐水特性,在湿地的恢复与构建方面有广阔的应用前景。     

Physiological and developmental effects of O3 on cottonwood growth in urban and rural sites.

Previously we found that cloned cottonwood saplings (Populus deltoides) grew twice as large in New York, New York, USA, compared to surrounding rural environments and that soils, temperature, CO2, nutrient deposition, and microclimatic variables could not account for the greater urban plant biomass. Correlations between final season biomass and cumulative O3 exposures, combined with twofold growth reductions in an open-top chamber experiment provided strong evidence that higher cumulative O3 exposures in rural sites reduced growth in the country. Here, we assess the field gas exchange, growth and development, and allocation responses underlying the observed growth differences and compare them with isolated O3 responses documented in the open-top chamber experiment. Cottonwoods showed no visible foliar injury, reduced photosynthesis of recently expanded foliage, early leaf senescence, protective reduction in stomatal conductance, or compensatory allocation to shoot relative to root biomass for either the chamber or field experiment. Instead, O3-impacted chamber plants had significantly higher conductance and reduced photosynthesis of older foliage that led to reduced leaf area production and a twofold biomass reduction in the absence of visible injury. Rural-grown field plants showed the same pattern of significantly higher conductance in the absence of concomitant increases in photosynthesis that was indicative of a loss of stomatal control. Incremental changes in foliar production were also significantly inversely related to fluctuations in ambient O3 exposures. The similarity in biomass, gas exchange, phenological, and allocation responses between chamber and field experiments indicate that mechanisms accounting for reduced growth at rural sites were consistent with those in the open-top chamber O3 experiment. This study shows the limitation of visible symptoms as a sole diagnostic factor for documenting detrimental O3 impacts and points toward a new approach to show O3 impacts when visible injury is not present. Namely, O3-impacted vegetation showed an unusual inverse relationship of increased conductance with lower photosynthesis of older foliage that was indicative of a loss of stomatal control. This increased stomatal conductance of O3-impacted vegetation accentuates pollutant flux into affected foliage and has important implications for system water balance during warm, dry portions of the growing season when O3 concentrations are highest.     

Photosynthetic response to temperature and desiccation of the intertidal alga Mastocarpus papillatus

When exposed to air during low tide, intertidal macroalgae experience a terrestrial environment and often encounter extreme levels of heating and desiccation. Two aspects of photosynthesis may be influenced by this increase in temperature and decrease in water content during exposure to air: (1) the rate of aerial photosynthesis itself, and (2) the rate at which aquatic photosynthesis recovers upon immersion in water at high tide. This laboratory study examines the effect of air temperature and desiccation on photosynthesis of the intertidal macroalga Mastocarpus papillatus Kützing. Plants were collected at Hopkins Marine Station, California, USA (36°37N; 121°54W) between July and December 1990. When apical tips were exposed to 15 to 25°C air for 2 h, photosynthesis was rapidly recovered upon reimmersion in seawater. Recovery was delayed, but complete, when tissue was exposed to 30°C air, but did not occur after exposure to 35°C air. Desiccation did not influence either the rate or the ultimate level of recovery upon reimmersion. Photosynthesis in air generally decreased with increasing desication, with no net photosynthesis occurring below 25% relative water content. Net photosynthesis of hydrated thalli increased with air temperature from 15 to 30°C, then decreased at 35°C. Dark respiration of hydrated thalli increased over the entire temperature range. This study indicates that thallus heating and desiccation during periods of exposure to air can potentially influence the total carbon budget of M. papillatus.     

Growth, biomass production and photosynthesis of Cenchrus ciliaris L. under Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne based silvopastoral systems in semi arid tropics

The growth, biomass production and photosynthesis of Cenchrus ciliaris was studied under the canopies of 17 yr old Acacia tortilis trees in semi arid tropical environment. On an average the full grown canopy of A. tortilis at the spacing of 4 x 4 m allowed 55% of total Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) which in turn increased Relative Humidity (RH) and reduced under canopy temperature to -1.75 degrees C over the open air temperature. C. ciliaris attained higher height under the shade of A. tortilis. The tiller production and leaf area index decreased marginally under the shade of tree canopies as compared to the open grown grasses. C. ciliaris accumulated higher chlorophyll a and b under the shade of tree canopies indicating its shade adaptation potential. The assimilatory functions such as rate of photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic water use efficiency (PN/TR) and carboxylation efficiency (PN/CINT) decreased under the tree canopies due to low availability of PAR. The total biomass production in term of fresh and dry weight decreased under the tree canopies. On average of 2 yr C. ciliaris had produced 12.78 t ha(-1) green and 3.72 -t ha(-1) dry biomass under the tree canopies of A. tortilis. The dry matter yield reduced to 38% under the tree canopies over the open grown grasses. The A. tortilis + C. ciliaris maintained higher soil moisture, organic carbon content and available N P K for sustainable biomass production for the longer period. The higher accumulation of crude protein, starch, sugar and nitrogen in leaves and stem of C. ciliaris indicates that this grass species also maintained its quality under A. tortilis based silvopastoral system. The photosynthesis and dry matter accumulation are closely associated with available PAR indicating that for sustainable production of this grass species in the silvopasture systems for longer period about 55% or more PAR is required.