A low irradiance mediated regulation of C4 metabolism during acclimation is reported for first time in Amaranthus hypochondriacus L., a NAD-ME dicot, Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn., an NAD-ME monocot, and Gomphrena globosa, a NADP-ME dicot. Significant decline in activities of key C4 enzymes were observed under limited irradiances in each of the species studied. When the plants were transferred to full natural irradiance, the enzyme activities were restored to originál State in 3-5 d, a similar time frame needed for acclimation to limiting irradiance. This identifies the decarboxylation reaction involving NAD-ME in Amaranthus and Eleusine or NADP-ME in Gomphrena as crucial sites of regulation under limiting irradiance.