A high yielding rice mutant ( Oryza sativa L. cv. Zhenhui 249) with low chlorophyll b was recently discovered in the field. The mutant was mainly characterized by the decrease of the content of extrinsic antennae complex. This variation was shown in the stage when the leaves were expanding. When the leaves are at the final developmental stage, the content would approach to that of the wild type. It was discovered that only moderate amount of chlorophyll b decreased in this mutant. The photosynthetic apparatus of the mutant was rather stable in the whole life span of the leaf. The extrinsic antennae complex of the mutant might make efficient use of light and meanwhile reduce the production of O -· 2.
