The paper examines the effect of water stress and clipping treatments on growth behaviour and nutrient value of 4 grasses, viz.,Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis (both C₃ plants),Chloris gayana andPanicum coloratum (both C₄ plants).

Biomass, net production, relative growth rates were affected more markedly and adversely in the two C₄ species due to water stress. The effect of clipping varied with species and was generally more marked and adverse in two C₄ species. The C₃ plants developed higher R:S ratio under water stress. Water stress resulted in a greater decline of total non-structural carbohydrate and protein content in the two C₄ species. Clipping affected adversely the nonstructural carbohydrate content and again the effect was more marked in the two C₄ species. On the other hand, protein content in shoots of all plants increased due to clipping.