In order to understand the ecological adaptability of Toona ciliata Roem.saplings under lead(Pb) pollution,we conducted a pot-culture experiment with three typical soils(alkaline purple soil,acid purple soil and alluvial soil) in Sichuan Basin.Photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll contents of T.ciliata Roem.saplings were studied under four levels of Pb pollution,i.e.,CK,0 mg·kg^-1;T₁,200 mg·kg^-1;T₂,450 mg·kg^-1;T₃,2 000 mg·kg^-1.The results indicated that:(1)Chlorophyll a,chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents of T.ciliata Roem.leaves decreased with the increase of Pb pollution regardless of soil types.However,Pb pollution had more significantly effects on chlorophyll contents in both acid purple soil and alluvial soil compared with those in alkaline purple soil;(2)The photo-response curve in three soil types showed the similar tendency.The net photosynthetic rate(P_n) significantly increased under low Pb pollution level,but significantly decreased under high levels of Pb pollution,showing the highest and lowest values under 200 and 2 000 mg·kg^-1 of Pb supply,respectively;(3)Photosynthetic indexes such as maximum photosynthetic rate(P_{n max}),apparent quantum efficiency(AQY),light compensation point (LCP) exhibited significant changes with the increase of Pb pollution,indicating Pb pollution could seriously influence the photosynthesis of T.ciliata Roem.saplings.The results here suggested that high levels of Pb could significantly limit the synthesis of leaf chlorophyll,and thus inhibit the photosynthesis capacity.The more serious Pb pollution could lead to stronger inhibition of photosynthesis.In addition,lower levels of Pb pollution(200 and 450 mg·kg^-1 supplies) had less effects on T.ciliata Roem.under the acid purple soil and alluvial soil compared with under the alkaline purple soil.