Abstract:Recent progress in studies on photoinhibition of plant photosynthesis was summarized in this review, including the generation and role of the reactive oxygen species which might lead to photoinhibition and photooxidation, the targets of photoinhibition, and the mechanisms of photoprotection. Three proposed mechanisms for protection of plant from photoinhibition were discussed: thermal dissipation which relates to the photosystem Ⅱ antenna and xanthophyll cycle; electron transport pathway including photorespiration, H2O-H2O cycle and cyclic electron flow; and the scavenging system for reactive oxygen species.