Abstract: The cold tolerance of three Dendrocalamus farinosus strains (seedling plant and two somaclone mutants) which have been cold-acclimated were compared in terms of their chlorophyll fluorescence responses. The cultivation temperature was set at 4, 0, −5 and −10 ℃ in turn and each temperature was kept for 90 minutes. The results showed that the seedling plants died under the stress of −5 °C, while the mutant plants No. 101-1b and No. 101-1c survived at 0 °Cand died under the stress of −15 °C. The ratio of variable fluorescence to maximum fluorescence (Fv / Fm), effective photon yield of optical system II (Y_II) and photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) values were generally decreased in all Dendrocalamus farinosus strains after exposed to low temperature stress, and the descending order was seedling plants > No.101-1b > No.101-1c. Comparatively, the non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) values of low-temperature-treated plants were mostly higher than those before stress, especially No.101-1c. The effects of two factors (strain and temperature) and their interaction effect on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were all significant. It is concluded that the mutant No. 101-1c was the most cold-resistant species. The present study can provide scientific basis for screening cold-tolerant somatic mutants of Dendrocalamus farinosus.