Abstract: This paper deals with light-photosynthesis curve, temperature-photosynthesis curve, diurnal changes of photosynthesis, and effects of water content and nitrogen in soil on photosynthetic characteristics of leaves of Leymus chinensis. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Light-photosynthesis curve of Leymus chinensis approximates to a hyperbola below light saturation point, and the influence of light intensity on photosynthesis is expressed by light intensity coefficient of photosynthesis. When Leymus chinensis was grown in a good water condition, its light intensity coefficient was 1.33 mg CO2· dm-2· h-1 · klx-1 at 5 klx light intensity, and light saturation point was 50 klx, and net photosynthetic rate at light saturation condition was about 31 mgCO2 · dm-2 · h-1. Temperature-photosynthesis curve of Leymus chinensis was a parabola, and optimum temperature of photosynthesis was 26–29 ℃. CO2 compensation point of Leymus chinensis was about 35 ppm. According to aforesaid characteristics of photosynthetic ecology, Leymus chinensis is a sun plant of C3 type. 2. The curve of diurnal changes of photosyn thesis in Leymus chinensis shows as a two-peak type in typical steppe, when water content of soil is about 14%. Major ecological factor which caused midday depressing photosynthesis in Leymus chinensis is atmospheric humidity. 3. The photosynthetic characteristics of Leymus chinensis, especially the leaf area and aerial biomass are closely related with water and nitrogen in soil. Irrigation has greater influence on photosynthetic production as compared with fertilization. The efficiency of increasing production is more notable, combining the measures of irrigation with fertilization. Leymus chinensis may be regarded as a eurytopic xerophyte according to the relationship between some photosynthetic characteristics and soil water. 4. Compared photosynthetic rate with leaf area in Leymus chinensis, the influence of the leaf area change on photosynthetic production is greater and is more remarkable during arid conditions. Therefore, irrigation and fertilization during dry season are effective measures to develop photosynthetic organ and to raise aerial biomass of Leymus chinensis rapidly.