The four Fabaceae species of different chilling tolerance (Pisum sativum L., Glycine max. Merr., Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Vigna unguiculata L.) were subjected to simulated bad weather periods at the beginning of the growth season. The treatment parameters were 14 d at constant 10 “C, 100 pmol m-2 s"*, 80 % relative humidity within a 12 h photoperiod. During chilling and subsequent recovery, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence and assimilate concentrations, as well as ribulose-1,5- bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) activity were followed. Despite the observation that no significant photoinhibition had been induced by the treatment, French beán and cowpea showed a strong decrease of photosynthetic capacity within the first week. Diuring chilling, soybean, French beán and cowpea virtually did not grow fiirther, but acciunulated large amounts of starch, in contrast to pea. Specific activity of RuBPCO (Mg2+- and HC03'-activated) was not altered significantly by the chilling treatment. Yet in French beán a generál protein breakdovm occurred in the second week. At the same time, a very strong decrease of qp was obtained in this species, indicating a breakdown of the electron transport. Pea and soybean were not negatively afifected by the long-term chilling.