Abstract:The endogenous cytokinins in the sprouts of Chinese fir (Cunnunghamia lancealata Hook.) were isolated and qualitatively identified. Three groups of sprout samples differed in size (i. e., initial sprouts,≤0.5cm in length: bigger unfolding sprouts, 0.51—1.50 cm in length: foliaceous sprouts, 1.51—3.00cm in length) were treated with 95% alcohol and then purified by strong cation exchange resin Dowex 50. The extracts were isolated by thin-layer chromatography with silica gel GF254 and gas chromatography as well, and the fractions in those samples were qualitatively verified by means of gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry as compared to the standard samples of pure compounds, with the result that three kinds of cytokinins and also adenine in Chinese fir sprouts were tentatively identified.By thin-layer chromatography on the silica gel plane there were several drab spots of different shades, among which the deeper one was more active biologically and manifested itself a clear peak on gas chromatogram. In the light of qualitative verification it turned out that the initial sprout contained more precursor of cytokinins—adenine than the bigger unfolding one while the latter had more zeatin than the former. As for foliaceous sprout there were more isopentenyladenine in its contents, but none of adenine or zeatin had been detected. It will be seen from this that in the growing process of Chinese fir sprouts the kinds and contents of endogenous cytokinins are continuously changing following a certain pattern of growth and decline.