Abstract: Topsis approach, a multiindexes evaluation method, can be used for comprehensive comparison of objects. This approach was used to investigate Bupleurum chinense seeds’ germination quality of different maturities from Qingchuan County. The anatomic structure of the seeds were observed with paraffin method, and their appearance was analyzed, and then the content of soluble sugar and soluble protein, thousand kernel weight (TKW), as well as the seeds’ germination indexes were determined. Seeds of different maturities differed in appearance, TKW, bibulous performance, germination characteristics, nutrients content and anatomical structure. After being post-harvested for 4 weeks, the embryo of seeds of different maturities can be developed into a similar level; with the increasing of the seeds’ maturity, seeds’ dry weight increased, seedling quality enhanced. Being analyzed with Topsis approach, the green seeds, which possessed a good germination characteristic, were recognized to be the superior group, followed by the yellow, the brown and the black. Black seeds’ TKW and embryo rate were greater than the others, but their germination rate was low, these may attribute to the highest contents of coumarins, which both inhabited the embryo growing and germination. Green seeds’ comprehensive quality is better than the others; followed by the yellow, and then the brown and the black. In terms of agricultural technique, it is better to harvest the seeds in time, hereby obtaining a low proportion of overripen seeds, which are inferior.

Key words: Bupleurum chinense, seed, maturity, Topsis