Abstract: To promote seeds vigor and seedling yield, the effects of 1% methanol solution, 1% ethanol solution, 1% propanol solution and 1% n-butanol solution on seeds germination and seedling growth of highland barley （Hordeum vulgare var. coeleste L.） were investigated. Results showed that there were significant effects on seeds germination and seedling growth of highland barley by treatment with 1% different alcoholic solutions compared with the control. The seeds germination and seedling growth of highland barley were significantly promoted by 1% methanol solution. The germination rate, germination potential and germination index of the seeds treated by 1% methanol solution were 1.11, 1.11 percentage points and 1.12 higher than those of the control, respectively. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll of the seedlings were 0.013 7,0.000 4 and 0.000 7 mg/g higher than those of the control group, respectively. The seedling height and root length of the seedlings were 2.15 and 3.51 cm higher than those of the control group, respectively. 1% ethanol solution also significantly promoted the germination of the seeds, and the promoted effect was better than that of 1% methanol solution, whose germination rate, germination potential and germination index were 4.44, 5.56 percentage points and 6.86 higher than those of the control, respectively, but 1% ethanol solution inhibited the growth of highland barley seedlings. 1% propanol solution and 1% n-butanol solution inhibited the seeds germination and seedling growth of highland barley in different degrees, and 1% n-butanol solution had the strongest inhibition. All in all, 1% methanol solution could significantly promote the seeds germination and seedling growth of highland barley.

Key words: highland barley（Hordeum vulgare var. coeleste L.）, seeds germination, seedling growth, alcoholic solutions