Photosynthetic rate in tomato leaves

Question

what is the relationship between an increase in light intensity and photosynthetic rate in tomato leaves?

Answer 1

As light intensity increases then the rate of photosynthesis increases linearly until a point is reached when the rate levels off.  The light intensity beyond which the light response curve plateaus is called the light saturation point of photosynthesis. At this point increases in light intensity do not cause increases in photosynthetic rate, so other factors (eg. CO2 levels) apart from the supply of light must be limiting the photosynthetic process.