Abstract: Atractylodes macrocephala ‘Yuzhu’ seeds collected from Lin’an, Zhejiang province were soaked in 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, 10, 30, 50, 100 mg/L of CdCl2 and with water as control. Determinations were carried out on germination potential, germination percentage, shoot length, root length, root activity, nitrate reductase content, soluble sugar content and soluble protein content. The results showed that 0-10 mg/L of Cd2+ could promote the germination of seeds, increase the germination potential and rate, promote the growth of shoot and root, and also increase the activity of root, nitrate reductase content, soluble sugar content and soluble protein content. However, high concentration of Cd2+ (more than 10 mg/L) could inhibit the germination of seed, reduce the germination potential and germination rate, inhibit the growth of shoots and young roots, and reduce the activity of roots, nitrate reductase content, soluble sugar content and soluble protein content.