Abstract: 【Objective】To investigate the effects of storage conditions on seed germination and seedling physiological characteristics of Isatis indigotica Fort,and to investigatehe changes of germination capacity and physiological characteristics during storage were investigated to provide theoretical and technical basis for scientific storage and efficient utilization of I. indigotica seeds.【Method】The seeds before storage as control(CK),designed with four storage conditions:C was natural dry storage at room temperature(20-25 ℃),CG was natural normal temperature storage(20-25 ℃)with silica gel,D was low temperature storage(0-4 ℃)and DG was low temperature storage(0-4 ℃)with silica gel. Sample seeds for analyses were taken after 0,90,180 and 270 days of storage. to determine the germination rate,germination vigor and germination index of seed. Seedlings were grown from the stored seed samples and their capacity for osmotic regulation,their enzyme activities of the enzymatic antioxidant system,malondialdehyde(MDA)content and other indicators measured. The correlations between these measured indicators were determined and analyzed.【Result】The germination rate,germination vigor and germination index of I. indigotica seeds decreased with the extension of storage time. By the end of stora-ge,the percentage germination rate of C,CG,D,and DG significantly decreased by 26.50%,14.53%,31.63%,and27.35%,respectively,compared with CK(P<0.05,the same below). The germination vigor decreased by 14.28%,3.06%,22.44%,and 23.47%,respectively. The germination index also significantly decreased by 32.31%,23.28%,38.90%,and45.33%,respectively. The indexes under the CG condition were higher than under the other storage conditions. The enzymatic antioxidant system gradually lost its activity,which was manifested as a gradual decrease in SOD,an initial rise then fall in POD and CAT,with a significant decrease in MDA in the early stage,followed by a gentle decrease in the later stages. Soluble sugar content appeared to decrease first and then increase,while soluble protein consistently decreased. Correlation analysis results showed that germination characteristics of seeds were positively correlated with the antioxidant enzyme system and storage substances of seedling,but had no significant correlation with MDA content(P>0.05). During the whole storage period,the correlation between seed germination and SOD and CAT activities was the highest.【Conclusion】The most suitable storage condition for I. indigotica seeds is 1∶1 mixed with silica gel at 20-25 ℃. The activities of SOD and CAT can be used as an relaiable indicator of the vitality of I. indigotica seeds.