Damage to primary photosynthetic reactions caused by environmental stress can be assessed by measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence induction in intact leaves. This approach was applied in studies of ultraviolet-B photoinhibition of photosynthesis in Pisum sativum L. and Rumex patientia L. leaves. At ultraviolet-B dose rates insufficient to cause inhibition of net photosynthesis, changes in the magnitude of fluorescence transients did occur, which suggested direct effects on chloroplast pigments in Pisum and inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport between the photosystems in both species. Leaves of these two species subjected to a much higher dose rate had a significant reduction of net photosynthesis and changes in the magnitude of fluorescence transients that indicated partial loss of water-splitting capability and direct effects on chloroplast pigments. Ultraviolet radiation-induced changes of photosynthetic thylakoid membranes may be ultimately responsible for these disruptions of the primary photosynthetic reactions.