The reduction in chlorophyll (Chl) and protein contents and the increase in amino acid content in leaf discs in response to aqueous SO2 exposure under continuous irradiance were more expressed in Amaranthus paniculatus (C4 plant) than in Cajanus cajan (C3 plant). The content of SH-compounds increased more in pigeonpea than in amaranth leaf discs in response to SO2. Aqueous SO2 exposure also reduced the CO2 fixation and ribulose-l,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPC) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) activities in leaf discs of both plant species. The differences in sensitivity of these plants to SO2 were related to their conversion efficiency of SO2 to less toxic substances and sulphydryl compounds.