Owing to a lack of field studies on attached leaves with regard to photosynthesis and
fluorescence, this study continues a research project (Alvino and Sorrentino, 1996) with
the aim of assessing the susceptibility of field-grown lily plants to photoinhibition
through the growing season in relation to high light and high temperature. These
objectives are tackled by measuring fluorescence, CO 2 assimilation and air temperature
along the plant profile to ascertain their effects on growth, final yield and quality.
Chlorophyll content was measured to ascertain possible reductions which could indicate
alternative processes of energy transformation (xanthophyll cycle) or photodamage
(photobleaching).
2.