Abstract:In this study,seeds of perennial ryegrass cultivar 'Neruda' and zoysiagrass cultivar 'Zenith' were used as materials.After being soaked in four concentrations of ethephon solution: 0,150,250,and 350 mg/L,the seed germination indexes (germination rate,germination potential,germination index,and vigor index) and indexes of seedings growth (root fresh weight,seedling fresh weight,seedling length,root length,and root-shoot ratio) were investigated and analyzed.The results showed that the response patterns of two turfgrass to ethephon treatment were different,250 and 350 mg/L ethephon treatment increased the germination rate,germination potential,germination index,and vigor index of perennial ryegrass and zoysiagrass seeds respectively.Compared with the control, ethephon treatment at 250 mg/L could increase the average length of seedling and root in perennial ryegrass,and also the root-shoot ratio;ethephon treatment at 150 mg/L could increase the root-shoot ratio of zoysiagrass seedlings;350 mg/L treatment increased the seeding length of perennial ryegrass and zoysiagrass.The effect of higher concentration of ethephon treatment on the related indexes of two turfgrass species needs further study.