In Phaseolus and Robinia leaves, direct light reaction (de-epoxidatíon of violaxanthín) was inhibited during 7-9 h as an aftereffect of y-radiation (167 mGy s'*). Complete suppression of the light reaction by the de-epoxidation was reached after 12-14 h. The suppression of xanthophyll de-epoxidation reflects the inhibitíon of photosynthetic electron transport chain and may be ušed for testing deleterious efifects on plants.