To examine the effects of light intensity on photosynthesis, corn and sorghum species were grown under shade cloths, which reduced light intensity by 25,50 and 75%. Photosynthetic rates were measured between 10 a.m. to noon on a clear day in early and mid - summer. 1. The degree of shading had a little effect on microenvironment. Air, soil and leaf temperatures were reduced as shade increased. 2. The degree of shading in early summer had relatively a little effect on photosynthesis of corn. However, the rates of photosynthesis in mid-summer decreased by 36%, 55% with relative light intensities of 50% and 25%, respectively. 3. The rate of photosynthesis was highly correlated with light intensity. The rates of photosynthesis with relative light intensities of 75,50 and 25% were decreased by 20, 40 and 5 4% in early summer, and by 17-53%, 36-64% and 5570% in mid-summer, respectively. 4. The 75% of light intensity had relatively little effect on dry matter yield of corn and sorghum species, however dry matter yield with 50 and 25% relative light intensities was decreased 17 and 36% in corn, 13-3 1 and 50-68% in sorghum species, respectively.