Abstract:【Objective】To examine the effects of four exogenous phytohormones on sainfoin seed germination and to address the problems of slow germination, low germination rate and irregular emergence during planting. 【Method】Using sainfoin seeds as the experimental materials, we investigated the effects of different concentrations of tricosanol (TA), 6-benzyladenine (6-BA), oleuropein lactone (BR), and sodium cisnitrophenate (CSN) on germination rate, germination potential, germination index, radicle and plumule length, storage material, and antioxidant enzyme activities. 【Result】All four hormones affected sainfoin seed germination across the concentrations tested. The most effective treatments were 0.4 mg/L TA, 10 mg/L 6-BA, 0.08 mg/L BR, and 2 mg/L CSN, which increased the germination rate by 13.1%, 24.7%, 47.8%, and 27.5%, respectively, compared with the control. These treatments also increased storage-substance content and antioxidant enzyme activity during germination, whereas excessively high concentrations inhibited germination. 【Conclusion】The four exogenous hormones regulated sainfoin seed germination to differing, indicating that applying an appropriate amount of phytohormone plays an important role in promoting germination. This study provides a theoretical reference for seedling practical production and application.