Abstract: Shade tolerance of nine warm-season turfgrass was carried out by evaluating 12 morphological and physiological indices: leaf area, leaf length, leaf length to width ratio, internode length, biomass, chlorophyll a content, chlorophyll b content, total chlorophyll content, soluble sugar, POD activity, Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo, all of which are closely correlated with shade tolerance. Each index value was converted into the relative value of shade tolerance compared with the full light control. Using correlation analysis and principal component analysis, the 12 indices were transformed into four mutually independent comprehensive variables, and then each index value and its corresponding subordinate function value were calculated. After a comprehensive evaluation of each varieties shade tolerance, the rank of the nine turfgrass shade-tolerance from strong to weak was: Axonopus compressus cv. Zhongda 1, Stenotaphrum helferi, Stenotaphrum helferi ‘golden’, Zoysia japonica cv. Lanyin Ⅲ, Paspalum vaginatum, Axonopus compressus, Axonopus affinis, Eremochloa ophiuroides and Zoysia matrella. Using stepwise regression analysis, the regression equation was established and five indices (leaf length to width ratio, internode length, chlorophyll a content, chlorophyll b content and POD activity) were selected to evaluate shade tolerance of turfgrass as tolerance significantly influenced these indices thereby simplifying the evaluation process. It was concluded that the mathematical analysis method of using morphological and physiological indices data in the comprehensive evaluation of turfgrass shade tolerance was relatively objective and comprehensive, and can be used in turfgrass resistance studies.