Abstract:Objective To break the dormancy and improve the germination rate of the seeds of Coptis omeiensis,the morphology and germination characteristics of C.omeiensis seeds were studied.Methods Several physiological indexes, tike the weights per thousand seeds, content of moisture,the rate of water absorption,seed vigor,and different germination rates were measured. The germination rate of C.omeiensis seeds was determined under different temperatures and different concentration of hormone, GA3 treatment.Results Seed vigor tested by TTC was relatively low(56%),while empty seeds and seeds without vitality could reach 44%,which indicated that there was a limitation in seed development of C.omeiensis.The water absorption experiment proved that the water permeability of seed coat was better, it could achieve complete absorption in ouly 6h.A conclusion could be got that the seed coat was not the limiting factor of low seed germination rate.The experiment of germination showed that 4℃ was the most appropriate temperature for the seed germination with the geimination rate up to 54.43%.The effect of 5.0 mg/L GA3 on germination was the most significant to stimulate the rate of germination by 73.48%.But it also showed that higher concentration (7.5 mg/I,) could restrain the germination. The most suitable parameters is 4℃and 5.0 mg/L.Conclusion Low seed vigor and seed dormancy may be the main reasons which could cause the low germination rate of C.omeiensis seeds.Significant differences exist in the germination rate of GA3.omeiensis seeds which are affected by the factor of temperature and hormone. The result of this study provides scientific evidences for growth and cultivation of C. omeiensis seeds.