In citrus, the use of rootstocks promotes productivity, improves fruit quality and may confer resistance or tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. 'Rangpur' lime (Citrus limonia, Osbeck) is one of the most tolerant rootstock to drought and is largely used by the Brazilian citrus industry. Previous studies have shown that, when grafted with a variety citrus doubled diploid (4x) 'Rangpur' lime rootstock is more tolerant to drought stress than the respective diploid (2x). In the present study, we characterized the water deficit tolerance in 2x and 4x 'Rangpur' lime seedlings. Water deficit was applied respectively for 21 days, followed by recovery irrigation. Physiological and biochemical parameters were measured periodically during the experiment and samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Doubled diploid seedlings were showed to be more water deficit tolerant than 2x. Water deficit caused a greater reduction in stomatal conductance in 2x compared to 4x. The 21st day of stress, leaf water potential in 2x was lower. Analyses of the activity of enzymes involved in detoxification process suggest that the better tolerance of 4x genotypes may be related to better scavenging of reactive oxygen species.