The variation of alternative and cytochrome respiration during ripening in rice leaves (Oryza sativa L. cv. Takanari) was examined. The capacity of both respiration pathway was measured by inhibitor titration method using gas-phase oxygen electrodes. The alternative respiration rate decreased from 31.3% of the total respiration rate at around heading to 11.7% at 34 days after heading in the first fully expanded leaf from the top, and further to 6.4 % at 34 days after heading in the fourth leaf from the top. In contrast, the proportion of cytochrome respiration to total respiration increased with leaf senescence. The possible cause of alternative respiration as either an increase in inefficient respiration or a decrease in growth efficiency during ripening was discussed.