Abstract: In order to study the effects of different phenolic acids on the germination of maca.In this paper,black and yellow maca seeds were treated with different concentrations of acetic acid(5,10 and 15 mmol·L^-1)and propionic acid(0.5,1.0,2.0 and 4.0 mmol·L^-1).The germination rate,germination potential,germination index and germ growth of maca seeds were measured.The results showed that,compared with CK,the germination inhibition of black and yellow maca seeds treated with acetic acid increased with the increase of acetic acid concentration,and the bud length became shorter.At the same time,low concentration of propionic acid(0.5-1.0 mmol·L^-1)could promot the germination rate of maca.With the increase of propionic acid concentration,the germination rate of maca seeds decreased and the growth of bud length was inhibited.In addition,black maca compared with yellow maca,the growth of yellow maca bud length was more adaptable to acetic acid,while the growth of black maca bud length has stronger adaptability to propionic acid.