Studies on the Photosynthesis of Sugar Beet Plants : (2) Relation between light intensity and the photosynthetic ability

Abstract

Experiment has been carried out in order to elucidate the cause of diurnal changes of apparent assimilation of sugar beet plant. The results obtained are briefly summarized as follows; Apparent assimilation per one plant was the sum of assimilation in each leaf exposed to light. Apparent assimilation of one leaf was closely related with the light receiving efficiency of the leaf. The light receiving efficiency of each leaf depended on the direction of the leaf, the inclination of leaf petiole against soil surface, and the degree of bending of leaf blade. As sugar beet plant of the growing stage has a few leaves, the variation of light recieving efficiency of each leaf largely effects on the sum of apparent assimilation of each leaf, namely, on the diurnal changes in apparent assimilation of one plant.