Abstract: Aims A light response curve can reflect a plant’s ability to utilize light, which is also a key tool in determining the relationship between photosynthetic capacity and environmental factors; however the model accuracies concerning the light response curve remain elusive. The objectives of this study were to compare and assess the model accuracies related to a light response curve and the effects of drought. Methods A field rain shelter was used to control the soil water conditions. To obtain photosynthesis parameters from the light response curve and the drought effects, the relevant models (including the rectangular model, non-rectangular hyperbolic model, modified rectangular hyperbolic model, exponential model, quadratic function model, and a newly modified model) were applied to fit the light response curves. The validity of each model was tested by analyzing the differences between the fitted values obtained by the models and the measured values. Important findings The newly modified model has been proved to performing relatively better in accurately describing the light response curve patterns, and credibly obtaining the crucial photosynthetic parameters such as the maximum net photosynthetic rate, light saturation point, light compensation point, and dark respiration rate, especially under high radiation conditions.

Key words: light response curve, modified model, drought adaptation, photosynthetic parameter, maize, C₄ plants