Objective:To provide a reference for early seedlingof Polygala tenuifolia and provide theoretical basis for increasing total phenols and total flavonoids through the study on the effects of light quality and intensity on seed germination

seedling physiological characteristics of P. tenuifolia as well as on total phenolics and total flavonoids. Method:Light with quality and intensity was used tointervene the germination of seed and the growth of seeding of P. tenuifolia

and then the germination rate

germination energy

germination index

vigor index

plant height

root length

dry weight

fresh weight

total phenolics and total flavonoids were detected and determined. Result:The germination index and seedling growth index of P. tenuifolia under red light were significantly higher than those of control group

and the total flavonoids content of seedlings under white light was highest

while the total phenols content was highest in red light.The germination rate

germination potential and germination index of seeds of P. tenuifolia were not affected by different light intensity.The light intensity of 300

500 μmol·m-2·s-1 promoted the growth of P. tenuifolia seedlings. The total flavonoids content under the light intensity of 100 μmol·m-2·s-1 was highest

and the total phenols content was highest under the light intensity of 300 μmol·m-2·s-1. Conclusion:The effects of different light quality and intensity on seed germination and seedling growth showed that red light can promote the germination of P. tenuifolia seeds and the growth of P. tenuifolia seedlings; white light could promote the formation of total flavonoids

and red light could promote the production of total phenolics. Light intensity had no effect on seed germination of P. tenuifolia.The illumination intensity of 500 μmol·m-2·s-1 was more suitable for the growth of P. tenuifolia seedlings.The light intensity of 100 μmol·m-2·s-1 was beneficial to the formation of total flavonoids

and the light intensity of 300 μmol·m-2·s-1 was beneficial to the formation of total phenols. Research showed that the effects of light quality and intensity on seedling growth and the content of total flavonoids and total phenolics of P. tenuifolia

may be related to hormones content

but the specific process remained to be verified.