[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the influences of UV-C irradiation on seed germination and seedling growth of winter wheat. [Method] Winter wheat cul- tivar Liaoda 02 was selected as the experimental material and irradiated with UV-C for 1 h,to compare the dynamic changes of seed germination rate under different treatment time and the changes of gibberellin （GA） content and a-amylase activity during the germination process after UV-C irradiation. Wheat seeds irradiated with UV-C for 1 h were sown, the emergence number, growth speed, fluorescence param- eter, reflectance spectrum, relative conductivity and other related physiological indica- tors of seedlings were determined. [Result] The results showed that the germination rate of dry and wet winter wheat seeds irradiated with UV-C for 1 h was improved, compared with the untreated seeds. After soaked for 6, 8, 10 and 12 h, dry seeds irradiated with UV-C for 1 h showed higher GA content and higher a-amylase activity than the control. In addition, UV-C-irradiated dry seeds also showed faster emergence speed and plant growth speed within the first six days after emergence and greater plant height than the control. The flavonoid content in leaves of the treatment group was also increased compared with the control, while the maximal photochemical effi- ciency （Fv/Fm）, photo-chemical reflectance index （PRI）, chlorophyll and carotenoid content were rarely influenced. In conclusion, UV-C irradiation could improve the ger- mination rate of dry seeds and wet seeds soaked for a certain time, especially for wet seeds soaked for 1 h. Furthermore, UV-C-irradiated seeds showed improved ger- mination speed and plant growth. [Conclusion] This study laid the foundation for ex- ploring the effect mechanism of ultraviolet rays on seed generation.
