EN
The paper presents the results of 3-year pot experiment, aimed at defining the impact of soil moisture on selected biometric characteristics, dry matter yield and yield quality. The research covered four orchard grass cultivars, Amera, Astera, Bepro, Potomac, different in earliness, cultivated under four field water capacities (80%, 65%, 50% and 35% FWC). Tillering, leaf blade area and dry matter yield were most considerably enhanced by moderate soil moistures, 65% and 50% FWC. However the reaction to soil moisture differed across cultivars. Amera yielded significantly highest under 50% FWC, Astera yielded similarly under 65% and 80% FWC, Bepro under 65% and 50%, while the highest yield of Potomac was obtained under 65% FWC. Astera was most prolific, developed the greatest number of shoots and the greatest leaf blade assimilation area. The soil moistures affected the contents of crude protein and water-soluble carbohydrates; the grater the soil moisture the lower the conte.