Development of water stress in Trifolium subterraneum L. plants, growing in growth room or in the field during autumn-winter and latě springtime, was studied under ťhe conditions of irrigation replenishing every day the evaporated water (1), withholding watering (WW), and slowly induced drought, replenishing daily with a fraction of water evaporated (SID). The method ušed to induce drought substantially affected the leaf water relations. In WW plants drought developed rapidly and in consequence the leaf water relations dramatically changed afler 10 d of treatment. The treatment maintained a stable moderate water stress (SID) that enabled the development of new acclimated leaves even under high tempertures and low humidity.