Abstract: In this study, morphological characteristics, water-absorbing characteristics and viability of annual Ribes saxatile seeds which collected from wild fruit forest in western Tianshan were determined.And, the effects of different stratification modes, different stratification times and different concentrations of GA₃ solution on the germination characteristics of R. saxatile seeds were also studied.The results showed that the mean longitudinal diameter and transverse diameter of the seeds were 2.33 mm, 1.52 mm, and the mean thickness of the seeds was 0.96 mm.The mean 1000-seed weight was 2.13 g and the seed purity was 91.09%. After 48 h of water absorption, the saturated water absorption rate reached 80.22%,while the seed viability determined by indigo staining was 85%.The effect of the treatment with river sediment stratification was better than that of the treatment with bare stratification and the treatment without stratification, and the effect of germination with river sediment stratification for 40 d was the best with 51.33% germination rate.The treatment with GA₃ solution could break the dormancy of R. saxatile seeds and improved the germination rate of R. saxatile seeds.The germination rate of R. saxatile seeds under 700 mg·L^-1 concentration was the best, which was 44.67%.In conclusion, the treatment with river sand stratification combined GA₃ was better.The first sand stratification for 30 d and then the treatment with 700 mg·L^-1 GA₃ solution for 2 h had the best effect and the germination rate was 82.67%.