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A field experiment was carried out to analyse the growth of lettuce, onion and red beet in terms of: (a) canopy architecture, radiation interception and absorption; (b) efficiency of conversion of absorbed radiation into biomass; and (c) dry matter partitioning. Growth analysis, total solar radiation interception, PAR interception and absorption by the crop canopy, ground cover, maintenance respiration of onion bulbs and red beet storage roots were measured. Models for different leaf angle distribution and ground cover were used to simulate light transmission by the crop canopy. The three crops are shown to have contrasting growth patterns from both a morphological and a physiological point of view. Lettuce showed very high light interception and growth after the early growth stages but, throughout the growth cycle, this leafy crop showed the lowest radiation use efficiency due to the respirational cost of the high leaf …