The observed high extinction coefficient value (1.68) for field net-house-grown papaya at a high solar
elevation indicated that the mature leaves in the top layer did not cover each other in the upper strata
but effectively shaded leaves in the lower strata. The mature leaves in the upper layer of the canopy
with a LAI of 0.3–1.4 m2m−2 (46% of the total leaf area of the canopy) were able to maintain high PPFD
and ACO2 . The study suggests that an ideal papaya canopy should be exposed to a LAI of 0.3–1.4 m2m−2
(approximately the 11th–29th leaf position) to acquire the maximum amount of PPFD and maintain
photosynthetic capacity during mid-day measurements near harvest.