Abstract: This experiment mainly studied the effects of three concentrations of agricultural rare earths on the content of protein and glucose and the activity of the antioxidant enzyme in the seeds of two sweet corn varieties，'Liketian 5807' and 'Rongyutian 7'. The results showed that 0. 5% and 2. 0% rare earth solution promoted the decomposition of ' Liketian 5807' protein；while the three concentrations inhibited the decomposition of 'Rongyutian 7' protein. In the early stage of seed germination（1 - 3 days），the effect of 2. 0% rare earth solution on promoting glucose synthesis of 'Liketian 5807' was the most obvious；in the later stage of germination（5 - 7 days），the effect of 0. 5% rare earth solution on promoting glucose decomposition of ' Liketian 5807' was the most obvious. During the whole germination period， the effect of 0. 5% rare earth solution on promoting glucose synthesis and decomposition of 'Rongyutian 7' was the most obvious. As the seeds germinated，the SOD activity of both cultivars increased. The effect of 2. 0% rare earth on the enhancement of the POD activity of 'Liketian 5807' was the most obvious；all the three concentrations enhanced the POD activity of ' Rongyutian 7' . 2. 0% rare earth had the best effect on enhancing the CAT activity of 'Liketian 5807' ，and 1. 0% rare earth had the best effect on enhancing the CAT activity of 'Rongyutian 7'.

Key words: agricultural rare earths, sweet corn, seed germination, nutritional components, antioxidant enzymes