Abstract
Photosynthetic characteristics of coffee leaves developed under various shading levels (0, 30, 50 and 80%) were examined.
The net photosynthetic rate above 150μmol m-2s-1 PPFD was the highest in unshaded plants, and it declined with increasing degree of shading. Saturation and compensation irradiances of photosynthesis and dark respiration also declined with shading.
The net photosynthetic rate was highest at 20°C and relatively high within the range from 15 to 25°C irrespective of the treatments. The rate of photosynthesis declined above 25°C and the reduction was the greatest in unshaded plants. The difference in net photosynthetic rate among shaded and unshaded plants at higher temperatures was assumed to be associated with increased dark respiration.
