The objective of my experiment was to study the physiological response of different drought tolerant peanut varieties to water stress at the seedling stage,to analyses the relationship of drought resistance with all related traits and to discuss the drought tolerant mechanisms. Twelve peanut varieties were tested and two kinds of water stress of contrast and severe drought stress was settled. The results showed that the single plant biomass of the tested peanut genotypes reduced significantly under drought stress. According to drought coefficient of biomass of single plant,we concluded that the high drought resistant varieties consisted of Shanhua 11,Rugao Xiyangsheng and A596. Shanhua 9,Nongda 818,Haihua 1,Huayu 20,79266 and Hua 17 had moderate drought resistance. Weak drought tolerant genotypes of peanut included Penglai Yiwohou,Baisha 1016 and ICG6848. There existed significant relationships between the drought resistant mechanisms with the drought relevant traits. We researched the drought resistant mechanisms of the varieties through changes of all the traits: Shanhua 11 had higher ability of photosynthetic production and drought resistance and drought tolerance; Rugao Xiyangsheng had better drought resistance and drought avoidance; A596 and Hua 17 showed higher water-saving mechanism; Shanhua 9 belonged to water consumption variety; Haihua 1 had better drought tolerance; Huayu 20 and 79266 put up drought avoidance; Penglai Yiwohou and Baisha 1016 showed up water consumption mechanism; ICG6848 didn't have obvious advantages on the performance of the performance of the above traits.