Application of a water extract of a needle-leafed goldenrod in promoting seed germination of mongolian milkvetch and licorice

Abstract

The application discloses application of a water extract of Lespedeza potaninii to promotion of seed germination of Mongolian astragalus and licorice, and belongs to the field of agricultural biotechnology. The water extract of Lespedeza potaninii is used for seed soaking treatment of plant seeds to promote seed germination. The plant seeds are Mongolian astragalus seeds or licorice seeds. The water extract of Lespedeza potaninii is derived from roots or stems of Lespedeza potaninii, preferably roots. The concentration of the water extract of Lespedeza potaninii is 0.4% to 0.6%, preferably 0.5. The Mongolian astragalus and licorice seeds have high hard seed rates, inconsistent germination and low overall germination rate, leading to uneven seedling emergence, seedling and ridge breakage, seed waste, cost increase and restriction on industrial development. The method provided by the application can effectively improve the germination rate of the two medicinal plant seeds, solve key problems in production practice, promote standardized and large-scale planting of the two medicinal plants and stable development of the industry.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of agricultural biotechnology, specifically to a method for regulating the germination of medicinal plant seeds using plant-derived extracts, particularly the application of an aqueous extract of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate in promoting the germination of *Astragalus membranaceus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds. Background Technology

[0002] Mongolian astragalus and licorice (Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus) are important bulk medicinal plants. Their dried roots, as the main source of the traditional Chinese medicine astragalus, possess effects such as tonifying qi and strengthening the exterior, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, and promoting tissue regeneration and detoxification, resulting in huge market demand. Seed propagation is the main method for large-scale cultivation of Mongolian astragalus and licorice; however, it has long faced a key challenge in production practice: high seed hardness rate, inconsistent germination, and low overall germination rate.

[0003] Astragalus membranaceus and licorice seeds are typically hard and compact, with a dense, poorly permeable seed coat that severely hinders the absorption of water and gas, making it difficult to break dormancy. This directly results in uneven seedling emergence and gaps in rows, wasting seeds, significantly increasing production costs, and further restricting the standardized, large-scale cultivation of Astragalus membranaceus and the stable development of the industry.

[0004] To address this challenge, various methods have been explored in the existing technology to promote the germination of Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza uralensis seeds, including:

[0005] Physical methods include mechanical abrasion (sandpaper friction), hot water soaking, and ultrasonic treatment. While these methods have some effect, they are cumbersome to operate, difficult to apply on a large scale, and the intensity is hard to control, which can easily cause physical damage to the seeds.

[0006] Chemical methods: The most common method is treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid, which uses its strong corrosive properties to destroy the seed coat structure. This method is highly effective, but it is also very dangerous, unfriendly to operators and the environment, requires extensive rinsing with water after treatment, and easily leaves chemical residues, which is inconsistent with the development concept of green agriculture.

[0007] Therefore, finding an efficient, safe, easy-to-operate, and environmentally friendly method to improve its germination rate has become an urgent technical problem to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides an application of the aqueous extract of *Astragalus lanceolate* in promoting the germination of *Astragalus membranaceus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds. The aqueous extract of *Astragalus lanceolate* is used to soak the seeds of *Astragalus membranaceus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* to promote the germination of the seeds and improve at least one of the following indicators: germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index.

[0009] Moreover, the aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is derived from the roots or stems of *Huanghua lanceolata*.

[0010] Furthermore, the concentration of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is 0.4% to 0.6%.

[0011] Furthermore, the aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is derived from the root of *Huanghua lanceolata*, and the concentration of the aqueous extract is 0.5%.

[0012] Moreover, the application method is as follows: select plump, disease-free Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza uralensis seeds, soak them in the aqueous extract of Astragalus membranaceus lanceolate, and soak them at 22-28℃ for 10-14 hours.

[0013] Furthermore, the preparation method of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua* lanceolata is as follows:

[0014] S1. Preparation of the mother liquor of the extract: Take the root or stem of lanceolate yellow flower, dry and crush it, add distilled water at a mass-volume ratio of 1:10 (g:mL), and seal and extract at room temperature for 20-28 hours; after filtering through gauze and filter paper, a mother liquor with a concentration of 10% (w / v) is obtained, which is stored at 3-5℃ for later use.

[0015] S2. Aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves: Take the mother liquor obtained in step S1 and dilute it with distilled water to obtain an aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves with a concentration of 0.5% (w / v). For example, take 50 mL of mother liquor, add 950 mL of distilled water, mix well and you will get 1000 mL of working solution.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0017] 1. In the method for promoting the germination of Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza uralensis seeds using the aqueous extract of *Hydrocotyle lanceolate* provided in this invention, the 0.5% concentration of the root extract of *Hydrocotyle lanceolate* showed a promoting effect on the germination of Astragalus membranaceus seeds, with germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index all significantly higher than the control group; the 0.5% concentration of the stem extract also showed a significant promoting effect on Astragalus membranaceus seeds, with a germination rate of 95% and a germination index of 37.73, both significantly higher than the control group, and a germination potential of 74% under the 0.5% concentration of the root extract treatment, significantly higher than the control group; under the 0.5% concentration of the stem extract treatment, the germination rate of Glycyrrhiza uralensis seeds reached 76%, an increase of 9% compared to the control, with a germination potential of 61% and a germination index of 29.47, all significantly higher than the control group.

[0018] 2. Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza uralensis seeds have a high hardness rate, inconsistent germination, and a low overall germination rate, resulting in uneven seedling emergence, missing seedlings, and broken rows in the field. This wastes seeds, increases costs, and restricts the development of the industry. The method provided by this invention can effectively improve the germination rate of these two medicinal plant seeds, solve key problems in production practice, and promote their standardized and large-scale planting and stable industrial development.

[0019] 3. This invention uses a water extract of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate to treat seeds, which can effectively improve at least one of the following indicators: germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate seeds, thus promoting good seed germination. Simultaneously, the method provided by this invention does not use corrosive chemicals, making it friendly to operators and the environment, avoiding the dangers and chemical residues that may arise from chemical methods, and aligning with the development concept of green agriculture. The application method is simple; only plump, disease-free seeds need to be selected and soaked in a water extract of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate from a specific concentration and source under suitable temperature and time conditions, making it easy to apply on a large scale. The entire process does not produce substances harmful to the environment, which is beneficial to ecological protection and sustainable development. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 The effect of extracts from different parts of *Astragalus membranaceus* on the germination rate of seeds of *Astragalus mongholicus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis*.

[0021] Figure 2 The effect of extracts from different parts of *Astragalus membranaceus* on the germination potential of *Astragalus mongholicus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds;

[0022] Figure 3 The effect of extracts from different parts of *Astragalus lanceolate* on the germination index of seeds of *Astragalus membranaceus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis*.

[0023] Figure 4 The effects of extracts from different parts of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate on the seed vigor index of *Astragalus mongholicus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis*. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Example 1

[0025] An application of an aqueous extract of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate in promoting seed germination: the aqueous extract of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate was used to treat the seeds of *Astragalus membranaceus* mongholicus to promote seed germination.

[0026] The aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is derived from the roots of *Huanghua lanceolata*.

[0027] Furthermore, the concentration of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is 0.4%.

[0028] Furthermore, the application method is as follows: Select plump, disease-free Astragalus membranaceus seeds, soak them in the aqueous extract of Astragalus membranaceus lanceolate, and soak them at 22℃ for 10 hours.

[0029] Furthermore, the preparation method of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua* lanceolate is as follows:

[0030] S1. Preparation of mother liquor of extract: Take the root of lanceolate yellow flower, dry and crush it, add distilled water at a mass-volume ratio of 1:10, and extract in a sealed container at room temperature for 20 hours; after filtering through gauze and filter paper, a mother liquor with a concentration of 10% is obtained and stored at 3℃ for later use.

[0031] S2, Aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves: Take the mother liquor obtained in step S1 and dilute it with distilled water to obtain an aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves with a concentration of 0.4%.

[0032] Furthermore, it is used to improve at least one of the following indicators: germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index of seeds.

[0033] Example 2

[0034] An application of an aqueous extract of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate in promoting seed germination: the aqueous extract of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate was used to treat the seeds of *Astragalus membranaceus* mongholicus to promote seed germination.

[0035] The aqueous extract of *Hylocereus lanceolus* is derived from the stem of *Hylocereus lanceolus*.

[0036] Furthermore, the concentration of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is 0.6%.

[0037] Furthermore, the application method is as follows: Select plump, disease-free Astragalus membranaceus seeds, soak them in the aqueous extract of Astragalus membranaceus lanceolate, and soak them at 28℃ for 14 hours.

[0038] Furthermore, the preparation method of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua* lanceolate is as follows:

[0039] S1. Preparation of mother liquor of extract: Take the stem of lanceolate yellow flower, dry and crush it, add distilled water at a mass-volume ratio of 1:10, and extract in a sealed container at room temperature for 28 hours; after filtering through gauze and filter paper, a mother liquor with a concentration of 10% is obtained and stored at 5℃ for later use.

[0040] S2, Aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves: Take the mother liquor obtained in step S1 and dilute it with distilled water to obtain an aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves with a concentration of 0.6%.

[0041] Furthermore, it is used to improve at least one of the following indicators: germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index of seeds.

[0042] Example 3

[0043] An application of an aqueous extract of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate in promoting seed germination: the aqueous extract of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate was used to treat the seeds of *Astragalus membranaceus* mongholicus to promote seed germination.

[0044] The aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is derived from the roots of *Huanghua lanceolata*.

[0045] Furthermore, the concentration of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is 0.5%.

[0046] Furthermore, the application method is as follows: Select plump, disease-free Astragalus membranaceus seeds, soak them in the aqueous extract of Astragalus membranaceus lanceolate, and soak them at 25°C for 12 hours.

[0047] Furthermore, the preparation method of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua* lanceolate is as follows:

[0048] S1. Preparation of mother liquor of extract: Take the root of lanceolate yellow flower, dry and crush it, add distilled water at a mass-volume ratio of 1:10, and extract in a sealed container at room temperature for 24 hours; after filtering through gauze and filter paper, a mother liquor with a concentration of 10% is obtained and stored at 4℃ for later use.

[0049] S2, Aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves: Take the mother liquor obtained in step S1 and dilute it with distilled water to obtain an aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves with a concentration of 0.5%.

[0050] Furthermore, it is used to improve at least one of the following indicators: germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index of seeds.

[0051] Example 4

[0052] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the plant seed is licorice, as detailed below:

[0053] An application of an aqueous extract of *Hydrocotyle lanceolate* in promoting plant seed germination: licorice seeds are soaked in the aqueous extract of *Hydrocotyle lanceolate* to promote licorice seed germination.

[0054] The aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is derived from the roots of *Huanghua lanceolata*.

[0055] Furthermore, the concentration of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is 0.4%.

[0056] Furthermore, the application method is as follows: Select plump, disease-free licorice seeds, soak them in the aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves for 10 hours at 22°C.

[0057] Furthermore, the preparation method of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua* lanceolate is as follows:

[0058] S1. Preparation of mother liquor of extract: Take the root of lanceolate yellow flower, dry and crush it, add distilled water at a mass-volume ratio of 1:10, and extract in a sealed container at room temperature for 20 hours; after filtering through gauze and filter paper, a mother liquor with a concentration of 10% is obtained and stored at 3℃ for later use.

[0059] S2, Aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves: Take the mother liquor obtained in step S1 and dilute it with distilled water to obtain an aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves with a concentration of 0.4%.

[0060] Furthermore, it is used to improve at least one of the following indicators: germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index of seeds.

[0061] Example 5

[0062] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 2 is that the plant seed is licorice, as detailed below:

[0063] An application of an aqueous extract of *Hydrocotyle lanceolate* in promoting plant seed germination: licorice seeds are soaked in the aqueous extract of *Hydrocotyle lanceolate* to promote licorice seed germination.

[0064] The aqueous extract of *Hylocereus lanceolus* is derived from the stem of *Hylocereus lanceolus*.

[0065] Furthermore, the concentration of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is 0.6%.

[0066] Furthermore, the application method is as follows: Select plump, disease-free licorice seeds, soak them in the aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves for 14 hours at 28°C.

[0067] Furthermore, the preparation method of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua* lanceolate is as follows:

[0068] S1. Preparation of mother liquor of extract: Take the stem of lanceolate yellow flower, dry and crush it, add distilled water at a mass-volume ratio of 1:10, and extract in a sealed container at room temperature for 28 hours; after filtering through gauze and filter paper, a mother liquor with a concentration of 10% is obtained and stored at 5℃ for later use.

[0069] S2, Aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves: Take the mother liquor obtained in step S1 and dilute it with distilled water to obtain an aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves with a concentration of 0.6%.

[0070] Furthermore, it is used to improve at least one of the following indicators: germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index of seeds.

[0071] Example 6

[0072] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 3 is that the plant seed is licorice, as detailed below:

[0073] An application of an aqueous extract of *Hydrocotyle lanceolate* in promoting plant seed germination: licorice seeds are soaked in the aqueous extract of *Hydrocotyle lanceolate* to promote licorice seed germination.

[0074] The aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is derived from the roots of *Huanghua lanceolata*.

[0075] Furthermore, the concentration of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is 0.5%.

[0076] Furthermore, the application method is as follows: Select plump, disease-free licorice seeds, soak them in the aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves for 12 hours at 25°C.

[0077] Furthermore, the preparation method of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua* lanceolate is as follows:

[0078] S1. Preparation of mother liquor of extract: Take the root of lanceolate yellow flower, dry and crush it, add distilled water at a mass-volume ratio of 1:10, and extract in a sealed container at room temperature for 24 hours; after filtering through gauze and filter paper, a mother liquor with a concentration of 10% is obtained and stored at 4℃ for later use.

[0079] S2, Aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves: Take the mother liquor obtained in step S1 and dilute it with distilled water to obtain an aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves with a concentration of 0.5%.

[0080] Furthermore, it is used to improve at least one of the following indicators: germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index of seeds.

[0081] Experimental Section

[0082] 1. Materials and Methods

[0083] 1.1 Test Materials

[0084] The *Astragalus lanceolate* seeds required for this experiment were collected in June 2024 in Dalad Banner, Ordos, Inner Mongolia (40°24′N, 110°02′E). Annual licorice seeds were collected and provided by the Rural Revitalization Bureau of Uxin Banner, and annual *Astragalus mongholicus* seeds were provided by the Guyang County Authentic Agricultural Products Professional Cooperative in Baotou City.

[0085] 1.2 Test Methods

[0086] 1.2.1 Preparation of extract of lanceolate leaf Huanghua

[0087] Roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of *Hylocereus lanceolate* were collected separately. They were rinsed with purified water to remove surface impurities, then dried in an 80℃ oven to constant weight. After drying, each part was cut into approximately 1cm pieces and pulverized. 100g of each dried sample was weighed into a beaker, 1000mL of distilled water was added, and the mixture was thoroughly mixed and sealed for 24 hours at room temperature for extraction. The crude extracts from different parts of *Hylocereus lanceolate* were first filtered through double-layered gauze, then filtered a second time using qualitative filter paper to prepare a 10% concentration mother liquor. The mother liquor extracts from each part were diluted with distilled water to obtain 4%, 2%, 1%, and 0.5% extracts, respectively. The solutions were stored at 4℃ for later use.

[0088] 1.2.2 Seed Treatment and Germination Experiment

[0089] Select plump, disease-free, and uniformly sized Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza uralensis seeds. Soak them in 75% ethanol for three 15-second intervals, replacing the ethanol solution each time. Rinse 3-4 times with sterile distilled water and air dry. A seed germination experiment was conducted using the petri dish filter paper method. Two layers of filter paper were placed in sterile 9cm diameter petri dishes. 100 Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza uralensis seeds were placed in each dish, and 5mL of the corresponding extract was added for treatment. Distilled water served as a control. Each treatment was replicated four times. The petri dishes were placed in a constant temperature incubator at 25℃, with 14 hours of light / 10 hours of darkness, a light intensity of 16000 Lux, and 60% humidity for seed germination culture. The number of germinated seeds was recorded at the same time each day. The filter paper was replaced every two days, and the corresponding treatment solution was added again. After 7 days, the experiment was completed, and germination rate, germination potential, and germination index were calculated.

[0090] 1.2.3 Index Measurement and Calculation

[0091] Germination rate = (Number of germinated seeds after 7 days / Number of seeds tested) × 100%.

[0092] Germination potential = (total number of germinated seeds after 14 days / number of tested seeds) × 100%.

[0093] Germination Index (GI) = ∑(Gt / Dt) (where Gt is the number of seeds that germinate on day t; Dt is the corresponding germination time).

[0094] Vitality Index (VI) = S × GI (S is the total length of the radicle at germination time t, and GI is the germination index).

[0095] Allelopathic effect index (SE) = (RI germination rate + RI germination potential + RI vigor index + RI germination index) / 4; RI is the allelopathic effect index, allelopathic effect index (RI) = T / C-1 (C is the control value, T is the treatment value, RI>0 indicates promotion, RI<0 indicates inhibition, and its absolute value is consistent with the intensity of the effect).

[0096] 1.2.4 Data Processing

[0097] Data was recorded and organized using Excel software, and statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0. The LSD test was used for significance testing and multiple comparisons, and Origin 2018 software was used for plotting. See details below. Figure 1-4 And Table 1.

[0098] 2 Results and Analysis

[0099] 2.1 Effects of extracts from different parts of *Astragalus membranaceus* on the germination rate of *Astragalus mongholicus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds

[0100] like Figure 1 As shown, the extracts from different parts of *Astragalus lanceolate* exhibited a significant concentration gradient effect on the germination rate of *Astragalus membranaceus* seeds. The root extract showed a "low-concentration promotion, high-concentration inhibition" effect on *Astragalus membranaceus* seed germination. At a concentration of 0.5%, the root extract promoted the germination rate of *Astragalus membranaceus* seeds, but this effect turned to inhibition with increasing concentration, decreasing to 41% at 4% concentration. The germination rate of *Astragalus membranaceus* seeds treated with stem extracts at all concentrations was higher than that of seeds from other parts. Specifically, the stem extract at a concentration of 0.5% significantly promoted the germination rate of *Astragalus membranaceus* seeds, reaching 95%, significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01). At a concentration of 1%, there was no significant difference in germination rate between *Astragalus membranaceus* seeds and the control group; however, higher concentrations showed significant inhibition. The leaf and fruit extracts generally inhibited the germination rate of Astragalus membranaceus seeds. The germination rate was lowest under the 4% fruit extract treatment, which was 43% lower than the control group (P<0.01). The germination rate response of Glycyrrhiza uralensis seeds was similar to that of Astragalus membranaceus. The germination rate reached 76% under the 0.5% stem extract treatment, which was 9% higher than the control (P<0.05), while the germination rate under the 4% fruit extract treatment was only 31%, which was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.01).

[0101] 2.2 Effects of extracts from different parts of *Astragalus membranaceus* on the germination potential of *Astragalus membranaceus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds

[0102] like Figure 2As shown, the root extract of *Astragalus lanceolate* also exhibited a significant "low-concentration promotion, high-concentration inhibition" effect on the germination potential of *Astragalus mongholicus* seeds. At a concentration of 0.5% root extract, the germination potential of *Astragalus mongholicus* seeds reached 74%, significantly higher than the 55% of the control group (P<0.01). With increasing extract concentration, the germination potential gradually decreased, indicating that high concentrations of root extract had a certain inhibitory effect on germination potential. The stem and leaf extracts showed similar trends in their effects on germination potential, decreasing with increasing extract concentration, but increasing at 1% concentration. At concentrations of 0.5% and 1%, the germination potential of *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds treated with *E. lanceolate* root, stem, and fruit extracts was significantly higher than the control (P<0.01), indicating that *E. lanceolate* roots, stems, and fruits promoted germination potential at low concentrations, and overall, the germination potential decreased with increasing extract concentration. When the stem extract concentration was 0.5%, the germination potential reached 61%, which was significantly higher than the 30% of the control group (P<0.01).

[0103] 2.3 Effects of extracts from different parts of *Astragalus membranaceus* on the germination index of *Astragalus mongholicus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds

[0104] like Figure 3 As shown, the germination index of Astragalus membranaceus seeds decreased with increasing concentration of extracts from different parts of Astragalus lanceolate. Extracts from roots, stems, and leaves at low concentrations (0.5% and 1%) significantly promoted the germination index of Astragalus membranaceus seeds. Specifically, the germination index reached 37.73 with a 0.5% stem extract, significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01), while the germination index decreased to 19.66 with a 4% stem extract (P<0.01). The germination index of Glycyrrhiza uralensis seeds treated with extracts from the stems and fruits of Astragalus lanceolate showed a similar trend to that of Astragalus membranaceus seeds. With a 0.5% stem extract, the germination index reached 29.47, an increase of 11.7 compared to the control group (P<0.01). The fruit extract showed a strong inhibitory effect; the germination index at a 4% concentration was only 13.58, which was 4.19 lower than that of the control group (P<0.01).

[0105] 2.4 Effects of extracts from different parts of *Astragalus membranaceus* on the seed vigor index of *Astragalus mongholicus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis*

[0106] like Figure 4As shown, the seed vigor index of *Astragalus membranaceus* decreased with increasing concentration of extracts from different parts of *Astragalus lanceolate*. Specifically, the seed vigor index of *Astragalus membranaceus* seeds treated with a 0.5% root extract was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). The seed vigor indices of *Astragalus membranaceus* seeds treated with extracts of stems, leaves, and fruits at all concentrations were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.01), and the seed vigor index of *Astragalus membranaceus* seeds decreased with increasing concentration of stem, leaf, and fruit extracts. The seed vigor index of *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds showed a similar trend to that of extracts from different parts of *Astragalus lanceolate* on *Astragalus membranaceus* seeds, but at low concentrations, extracts from roots, stems, and fruits showed a promoting effect.

[0107] 2.5 Effects of extracts from different parts of *Astragalus membranaceus* on the comprehensive allelopathic effect index of *Astragalus membranaceus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis*

[0108] As shown in Table 1, the comprehensive allelopathic effects of the root and stem extracts of *Astragalus membranaceus* on *Astragalus mongholicus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* exhibited a concentration-dependent effect: the 0.5% root extract showed a strong promoting effect, which turned into an inhibitory effect at concentrations ≥1%; the 0.5% stem extract showed a weak promoting effect, which turned into an inhibitory effect at concentrations ≥1%, and the inhibitory effect of the stem extract was significantly stronger than that of the root extract. All concentrations of leaf and fruit extracts inhibited the germination of *Astragalus membranaceus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds, and the inhibitory effect increased with increasing concentration. Among them, the 4% fruit extract showed the strongest inhibitory effect, with a comprehensive allelopathic index of -1.77. The effects of the extracts from various parts of *Astragalus membranaceus* on *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* were similar to those on *Astragalus membranaceus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis*: the root and stem extracts showed a bidirectional effect of "low-concentration promoting and high-concentration inhibiting," and all concentrations of the leaf and fruit extracts inhibited the germination of *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds in a concentration-dependent manner.

[0109] Table 1. Effects of extracts of *Astragalus membranaceus* var. *lanceolata* on the allelopathic composite index of *Astragalus membranaceus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds.

[0110]

Claims

1. The application of an aqueous extract of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate in promoting the germination of *Astragalus membranaceus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds, characterized in that... Seeds of Astragalus membranaceus or Glycyrrhiza uralensis were soaked in an aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves to promote their germination. The aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is derived from the root or stem of *Huanghua lanceolata*. The concentration of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua* lanceolata is 0.5%; The preparation method of the aqueous extract of *Huanghua* lanceolate is as follows: S1. Preparation of mother liquor of extract: Take the root or stem of lanceolate yellow flower, dry and crush it, add distilled water at a mass-volume ratio of 1:10, and extract in a sealed container at room temperature for 20-28 hours; after filtering through gauze and filter paper, a mother liquor with a concentration of 10% is obtained, which is stored at 3-5℃ for later use. S2, Aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves: Take the mother liquor obtained in step S1 and dilute it with distilled water to obtain an aqueous extract of lanceolate leaves with a concentration of 0.5%.

2. The application of the aqueous extract of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate as described in claim 1 in promoting the germination of *Astragalus membranaceus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds, characterized in that... The aqueous extract of *Huanghua lanceolata* is derived from the roots of *Huanghua lanceolata*.

3. The application of the aqueous extract of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate as described in claim 1 in promoting the germination of *Astragalus membranaceus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds, characterized in that... The application method is as follows: Select plump, disease-free Astragalus membranaceus or Glycyrrhiza uralensis seeds, soak them in the aqueous extract of Astragalus membranaceus lanceolate, and soak them at 22-28℃ for 10-14 hours.

4. The application of the aqueous extract of *Astragalus membranaceus* lanceolate as described in claim 2 in promoting the germination of *Astragalus membranaceus* and *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* seeds, characterized in that... Used to improve at least one of the following indicators: germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index of seeds.

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