To investigate lignification process and its physiological significance under water-deficit condition, the responses of peroxidases, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in relation to leaf water status to the short term of water deficit treatment in the leaves with different maturities in forage rape were measured. The significant decrease in relative water content (RWC) and leaf osmotic potential (${Psi}{pi}$) were apparent after 5 d of water-deficit treatment. The activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APOD), coniferyl alcohol peroxidase (CPOD), and syringaldazine peroxidase (SPOD) was depressed especially in middle and old leaves when compared with that of control leaves. On the other hand, in young leaves, a significant increase in CPOD (+34%) and SPOD (+24%) activity as affected by water-deficit treatment was apparent. The activation of PAL and PPO was observed in middle and old leaves for PAL and in young and middle leaves for PPO. These results suggest that peroxidases in middle and old leaves did not involve in lignification under mild water-deficit stress, whereas CPOD and SPOD in young leaves participate in lignification by a coordination with PAL and PPO to incorporate phenol and lignin into the cell walls.