It is commonly accepted that an important role of the phytochrome lies in signalling the proximity of competing plants. However, not all photoresponses conveyed by the phytochrome can be explained by the competition only. Because a better description of the natural variability of solar spectral irradiance is necessary to recognize the other roles of the phytochrome, long-lasting spectroradiometric measurements have been performed. Special attention has been paid to the relations between the far-red and red bands of the solar spectrum, which have an impact on the phytochrome. The effect of atmospheric moisture on far-red irradiance (attenuated in the 720 nm band of water vapour absorption) is described. The far-red irradiance, active in the ‘high irradiance response’ of the phytochrome, and the red/far-red ratio, important for the ‘low fluence response’, may vary very strongly relative to the atmospheric moisture. Together with other facts known from photophysiology, the results of the measurements enabled us to formulate a thesis that the phytochrome monitors the amount of water vapour and opens appropriate metabolic pathways to cope with the danger of drought. The recognition of this novel role of the phytochrome might broaden the knowledge in the area of plant photomorphogenesis and ecology.