[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the inspection methods and quality grading standards for Codonopsis pilosula seeds. [Method] A total of 27 shares of C. pilosula seeds were collected and surveyed from six counties in Shanxi, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. The inspection methods of various indicators, such as purity, 1 000-grain weight, germination rate, vitality and moisture content, were investigated in accordance with Rules for Agricultural Seed Testing （GB/T 3543.1-7, 1995）, to develop the appropriate quality inspection method for C. pilosula seeds. Based on the developed inspection method and procedures, the quality of 27 shares of C. pilosula seed samples from different regions was inspected, thus es- tablishing quality grading standards for C. pilosula seeds with K-center clustering method. [Result] C. pilosula seeds are suitable to be cultivated in cool regions. The optimal germination temperature was 25 ~C; the optimal germination bed was gauze bed; the optimal staining conditions were： staining temperature 40 ~, TTC concen- tration 0.5%, staining time 4 h. On the basis of cluster analysis, the quality of C. pilosula seeds could be divided into three grades according to five indicators, includ- ing the purity, 1 000-grain weight, moisture content, vitality, and germination rate. Specifically, vitality and germination rate were important factors of grading standards due to the significant differences, followed by purity, 1 000-grain weight and mois- ture content. [Conclusion] This study provided an important basis for standardized cultivation and industrial development of C. pilosula.
