Photosynthesis in Relation to Leaf Orientation and Light Interoeption

Abstract

This paper examines the photosynthetic response of single attached leaves (of four different species) to an increasing angle of incidence ([theta] ) of incoming radiation. The intensity of light falling upon a leaf can be deduced from geometrical optics to be proportional to cos [theta] . The results reported here suggest that the photosynthetic activity of leaves exposed to a limiting light intensity follows a similar relationship. Explanations of this empirically determined relationship are discussed.