Abstract: Cassia obtusifolia is one of the Chinese herbal medicines with high value of medical health. The seed of C. obtusifolia is belonging to hard seeds, which results in the lower germination rate while the low yield. Warm water and different concentrated H₂SO₄ were used to soften seed-coat; and the indexes, such as its seeds’ germination potential, germination rate, chlorophyll content, free proline content, etc. were measured after the seeds germinating. The results showed that the seed germination rate was up to 95% under the soaking treatment of 80% H₂SO₄ with 20 min or 60 ℃ water with 2 h, and it could obviously promote the initial growth of seedlings.

Key words: Cassia obtusifolia L., seed -coat softening, germination rate, seedlings