The light-induced chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence decline at 77 K was investigated in segments of leaves, isolated thylakoids or Photosystem (PS) II particles. The intensity of chlorophyll fluorescence declines by about 40% upon 16 min of irradiation with 1000 mumol m(-2) s(-1) of white light. The decline follows biphasic kinetics, which can be fitted by two exponentials with amplitudes of approximately 20 and 22% and decay times of 0.42 and 4.6 min, respectively. The decline is stable at 77 K, however, it is reversed by warming of samples up to 270 K. This proves that the decline is caused by quenching of fluorescence and not by pigment photodegradation. The quantum yield for the induction of the fluorescence decline is by four to five orders lower than the quantum yield of Q(A) reduction. Fluorescence quenching is only slightly affected by addition of ferricyanide or dithionite which are known to prevent or stimulate the light-induced accumulation of reduced pheophytin (Pheo). The normalised spectrum of the fluorescence quenching has two maxima at 685 and 695 nm for PS II emission and a plateau for PS I emission showing that the major quenching occurs within PS II. 'Light-minus-dark' difference absorbance spectra in the blue spectral region show an electrochromic shift for all samples. No absorbance change indicating Chl oxidation or Pheo reduction is observed in the blue (410-600 nm) and near infrared (730-900 nm) spectral regions. Absorbance change in the red spectral region shows a broad-band decrease at approximately 680 nm for thylakoids or two narrow bands at 677 and 670-672 nm for PS II particles, likely resulting also from electrochromism. These absorbance changes follow the slow component of the fluorescence decline. No absorbance changes corresponding to the fast component are found between 410 and 900 nm. This proves that the two components of the fluorescence decline reflect the formation of two different quenchers. The slow component of the light-induced fluorescence decline at 77 K is related to charge accumulation on a non-pigment molecule of the PS II complex.