Due to anthropogenic influences, solar UV-B irradiance at the earth's surface is increasing. To determine the effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on photosynthetic characteristics of Prunus dulcis, two-year-old seedlings of the species were submitted to four levels of UV-B stress, namely 0 (UV-B c ), 4.42 (UV-B 1 ), 7.32 (UV-B 2 ) and 9.36 (UV-B 3 ) kJ m -2 d -1 . Effects of UV-B stress on a range of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters (FPs), Chl contents and photosynthetic gas-exchange parameters were investigated. UV-B stress promoted an increase in minimal fluorescence of dark-adapted state (F 0 ) and F 0 /F m , and a decrease in variable fluorescence (F v , F v /F m , F v /F 0 and F 0 /F m ) due to its adverse effects on photosystem II activity. No significant change was observed for maximal fluorescence of dark-adapted state (F m ). Enhanced UV-B radiation caused a significant inhibition of net photosynthetic rate (P N ) at UV-B 2 and UV-B 3 levels and this was accompanied by a reduction in stomatal conductance (g s ) and transpiration rate (E). The contents of Chl a, b, and total Chl content (a+b) were also significantly reduced at increased UV-B stress. In general, adverse UV-B effects became significant at the highest tested radiation dose 9.36 kJ m -2 d -1 . The most sensitive indicators for UV-B stress were F v /F 0 , Chl a content and P N . Significant P<0.05 alteration in these parameters was found indicating the drastic effect of UV-B radiation on P. dulcis.