Abstract:In this paper, drought tolerance at the germination stage of 15 peanut varieties (lines) was identified by PEG6000 treatment. The index took into account 8 indicators including relative germination energy, germination rate, germination index, radicle length, hypocotyl length, buds length and seedling fresh/dry weight. The results indicated that seed germination was promoted by low level of PEG6000 at early stage of stress treatment, but restrained with the extension of processing time and higher concentration. Except for the relative buds length, all other indicators were significantly positively correlated with the comprehensive drought tolerance of each variety. Based on subordination function method and the standard classification of tolerant ability in peanut, we screened 4 drought tolerant varieties (JS2, 6, 14, 15) and 3 mediate tolerant varieties (JS3, 11, 13), indicating the method as a quick and convenient technique in identification of drought tolerance of peanut germination.