Abstract:【Objective】To investigate the effects of exogenous humic acid (HA) seed soaking on the seed germination and seedling growth of Astragalus membranaceus under salt stress.【Method】Using Astragalus membranaceus seeds as experimental materials, the NaCl concentration that could induce 50% seed germination compared to the control was screened, and the optimal alleviating concentration of exogenous HA seed soaking on seed germination and seedling growth under this specific NaCl stress was investigated.【Result】A concentration of 75 mmol/L was the NaCl concentration that caused 50% germination of Astragalus membranaceus seeds compared to the control group. Furthermore, exogenous HA seed soaking significantly alleviated the inhibitory effect of NaCl stress on seed germination. Compared with HA0 group, the 0.4 g/L HA treatment exhibited the most significant promoting effect on seed germination under NaCl stress, with its germination rate, germination potential, germination index and average germination rate increased by 107.1%、75.75%、92.97%、98.69%, respectively. Compared with the HA0 group, soaking seeds in 0.2 and 0.4 g/L HA brassinazole significantly promoted the growth of radicle length and embryonic axis diameter in A. membranaceus seedlings. Additionally, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble protein (SP), and proline (Pro) in the seedlings significantly decreased, while the content of chlorophyll (CHL) significantly increased, with the 0.4 g/L HA treatment showing the best promoting effect on seedling growth.【Conclusion】Soaking seeds in 0.4 g/L HA can significantly alleviate the toxic effects of 75 mmol/L NaCl stress on the seed germination and seedlings of Astragalus membranaceus. This conclusion provides a theoretical basis for the salt stress problem encountered in the standardized cultivation process of Astragalus membranaceus.