Abstract: In this paper, the biological characteristics of Sinia rhodoleuca seed germination were studied, aimed to understand the underlying mechanisms relevant to the impediment in the regeneration of S. rhodoleuca population. The optimal temperature for the seed germination of S. rhodoleuca was 25 ℃, with a germination rate being 56.67%. At 20 ℃ and 30 ℃, both the germination velocity and the germination rate were low; at 30 ℃, the seedlings grew abnormally; at  15 ℃, the germination was inhibited. When the soil moisture content was in the range of 20%~30%, the seed could germinate normally; with the increase of the moisture content from 20% to 30%, the germination started earlier, and
 the germination velocity was higher. The seed germination was lightneeded, and no seeds could be germinated in the dark. There was no significant difference in the germination rate in sand, loamy soil, and sandy soil, but the seedlings grew better in loamy and sandy soils. The seeds from different geographical provenances differed significantly in their quality, with those of Rongshui population having the highest germination rate and better seedlings growth. The narrow suitable range of temperature and the lack of light in understory limited the seed
 germination of S. rhodoleuca, and the low germination velocity, uneven germination, and slow growth made S. rhodoleuca be at a disadvantage in interspecific competition, which could be the main causes leading to the poor regeneration of S. rhodoleuca population.

Key words: Subalpine coniferous forest, Ecological process, Artificial restoration, Biomass, Stem volume, Picea asperata