Light intensities under and above shading material were measured at different layers (upper, middle and lower layers) and lines (lst, 3rd and 5th lines) on clear and cloudy days in S-year-old ginseng plant populations. Rates of photosynthesis and respiration were also measured in field. Light intensities of the 1st lines at upper and lower layers were relatively high as compared with the 3rd and the 5th lines, and there were no remarkable difference between the 3rd and the 5th line. But in middle layer, the light intensity of each line differed considerably. As compared with fair and clear day, the day of clear but much diffuse light showed high light intensity under shading. Relative light intensity was higher on cloudy day than on clear day. There were notable differences of photosynthetic rates among the lines and the rearest lines exhibited the lowest rates. But it was not considered that even the front plants demonstrated the maximum photosynthetic capacity.