Objective Selected four different sources of Glycyrrhiza uralensis seeds as research materials, aiming to explore the germination characteristics of the seeds and methods to break dormancy, in order to provide a scientific basis for the artificial cultivation of licorice.

Methods Morphological characteristics, thousand seed weight, moisture content, water absorption rate, hard seed rate, dormancy rate, and other indicators of the test materials were determined. Three different methods, namely friction seed coat, concentrated sulfuric acid treatment, and high-temperature hot water soaking, were used to study their effects on seed germination indicators.

Results The shape of the licorice seeds is oval, with a yellow-brown color and a hard outer shell. The hard seed rate of the seeds is over 90%, and the seeds are impermeable to water. The germination rate of untreated licorice seeds ranges from 6% to 41%, and the germination rate of licorice seeds from different sources differs significantly (P<0.05). High-temperature treatment cannot effectively break the dormancy of licorice seeds, while friction treatment and concentrated sulfuric acid treatment can significantly increase the germination rate of seeds and advance the germination time significantly (P<0.05).

Conclusion Concentrated sulfuric acid treatment is an effective method to break dormancy, with the best treatment effect achieved with soaking the seeds in concentrated sulfuric acid for 30 minutes, resulting in a germination rate of 85% to 98%.