Abstract: A pot experiment was conducted to explore the influence of Panax notoginseng continuous cropping on the seed germination and seedling growth of the plant. Under continuous cropping, the maximum seed germination speed of P. notoginseng increased, germination vigor changed little, while the germination rate, germination index, and fast germination stage decreased, compared with those under 1-year cropping. The seed germination vigor, germination rate, and germination index in root region soil and under-root region soil decreased significantly, and the maximum germination speed also decreased, compared with those in outerroot region soil. The 1-year P. notoginseng-cropped soil had no obvious obstacle effect on the seedling growth of followed cropped P. notoginseng, but the 2-year P. notoginseng-cropped soil had stronger inhibitory effect than the 3-year P. notoginseng-croppedsoil. Our results suggested that P. notoginseng continuous cropping could produce obstacle effect on the seed germination and seedling growth of the plant, and autotoxicosis could be one of the main reasons that led to the P. notoginseng continuous cropping obstacle.

Key words: Atrazine, Soil fertility, Soil urease