Biotypes of Brassica rapa susceptible (S) and resistant (R) to atrazine were grown in competitive replacement series in all possible combinations of two light levels and three temperature regimes in controlled growth cabinets. Photosystem II function was investigated in all conditions by fluorescence-induction techniques. There were no significant differences in the dry weight of the two biotypes when grown in pure stands. In pure stands both biotypes produced more biomass under the high light level. Under high light both biotypes yielded more biomass at high temperature ; in low light they did so at medium temperature. Under high light conditions at high and medium temperatures the susceptible biotype had a greater photon yield and relative competitive ability than the resistant due to the greater vulnerability of triazine-resistant biotypes to photoinhibition. However, surprisingly, the resistant biotype was the better competitor, and had a higher photon yield, in the high light\low temperature regime. In low light no photoinhibition was expected and indeed there were no significant differences in any fluorescence parameters between the resistant and susceptible biotypes. Nevertheless, there were differences in the whole plant performance ; the susceptible biotype was a better competitor at low and medium temperatures, but the resistant biotype was better at high temperature. Relatively small variations in both light and temperature, well within the range encountered during British summer time, can have large effects on the relative competitiveness of triazine R and S biotypes in this species with implications for the spread of resistance genes through semi-natural communities. In light of predicted climate changes, interactions between climate and resistance should be studied across a wider range of herbicide types and weed species.# 1997 Annals of Botany Company