Abstract: In order to explore the relationship between environmental factors and seed germination of Dracocephalum tanguticum Maxim. for providing some references in artificial cultivation, the effects of environmental factors, including light, temperature, pH value, burial depth and nutrient solution on seed germination and seedling growth were studied. The results showed that seeds were light-needed for germination, which could be given moderate light (500 lx) at the germination stage. With the increase of incubator temperature, seed germination characteristics and seedling growth tended to increase at first and then decrease, the optimum temperature was 20 ℃, the optimum pH was 6.0-6.5, the germination rate could reach 44%-48% in the acidic ambient, and the growth of seedlings was better. Shallow seeding was suitable for artificial seeding, and the burial depth of 1 cm was advisable. At the germination stage, appropriate nutrient solutions could also be added to improve the germination rate. The optimum concentrations of nutrient solution KH2PO4 and NH4NO3 were 1 g/L and 0.5 g/L, respectively.

Key words: Dracocephalum tanguticum Maxim., seed germination, influence factors, germination index