The (Fpl-Fo)/Fv value of the fluorescence induction curve is shown to be a more suitable parameter to detect a wider range of heat stress damage to thylakoid membranes as compared to quantities t 1/2 (time of fluorescence rise from Fo to (Fo+Fm)/2 level) and % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGak0Jf9crFfpeea0xh9v8qiW7rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaa0aaaeaacq% aHepaDaaaaaa!39D5!\[\overline \tau \] (the fluorescence induction time defined as the area above the induction curve normalized to Fv=1). A method for exact and automatic Fpl determination is presented.A break point in the quality and behaviour of the fluorescence induction curve of barley leaves incubated at 49°C was reached at the moment (about 240 s) when the transformation of PS II active (QB-reducing) to PS II inactive (QB-non-reducing) centres was completed. The meaning of the standard Fv and Fv/Fm parameter was then changed.The method of Fpl determination described here may help to increase the analytical value of the standard chlorophyll fluorometers.