Abstract: The results of the experiment showed that leaf elongation rate in two wheat cultivars decreased under soil water stress. Rewatering after water stress, growth restoration.of “Changle No.5” was faster than that of “Lumai No.5”. The osmotic adjustment ability of leaves in these two wheat cultivars increased to 0.41MPa for “Changle No.5” and 0.33MPa for “Lumai No.5” as water potential decreased. At the same leaf elongation rate water potential and osmotic potential of “Changle No5” decreased more than that of “Lumai No.5” Leaf elongation rate fell to zero as water potential and osmotic potential were –1.50MPa and –1.70MPa for “Changle No.5” and –1.20MPa and –1.30MPa for “Lumai No.5” The threshold turgor pressure of elongation growth in leaf cell was different being 0.22MPa for “Changle No.5’ and 0.15MPa for “Lumai No.5”. The difference in the gross extensible coefficient of growing leaf was very small.

Key words: Wheat, Soil water stress, Osmotic adjustment, Leaf elongation rate