Abstract: In order to explore the physiological response mechanism of Physalis alkekengi L. to different drought treatments, and provide scientific references for exploration and utilization of drought tolerant varieties, the seedlings of two P. alkekengi varieties, P. alkekengi cv. Lilitian and P. alkekengi cv. Tieba, were used as materials. Under the PEG-6000（mass fraction 0, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%） simulated drought stress, seed germination and seeding growth characteristics were measured. The research indicates that, at the concentration of 5% PEG-6000, the germination energy, germination index, bud length of the P. alkekengi cv. Tieba seed pulp were significantly increased compared with the control. When the treatment concentration was higher than 10%, the above indexes as well as root length decreased sharply with the increase of PEG-6000 concentration. When the concentration of PEG-6000 reached to 30%, the indexes of P. alkekengi seed were all at a very low level. The seed vigor index of the two varieties was different as the seed vigor of P. alkekengi cv. Lilitian increased first and then decreased; while the activity of P. alkekengi cv. Tieba seed decreased continuously. Under drought stress, the seed germination capacity of P. alkekengi cv. Lilitian is stronger than that of P. alkekengi cv. Tieba.

Key words: Physalis alkekengi L., PEG-6000, seed germination, seedling growth