[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the primary and secondary metabolisms during the germination of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi seeds under different light intensities. [Method] The activities of CHL, soluble sugar, PAL, C4H and CHS were determined with ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The secondary metabolites were detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography （HPLC）. [Result] The results indicate that the germination of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi seeds is not sensitive to light and the seedlings were very sensitive to light. The CHL, soluble sugar, PAL, C4H and CHS continuously increased with light intensity. The content of secondary metabolites also increased. [Conclusion] Light increased the formation of leaf photosynthetic pigment, thereby affecting the primary metabolites. The activities of PAL, C4H and CHS significantly increased with the development of light intensity. Finally the secondary metabolites of medicinal plants increased sharply. Therefore, the quality of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi materials can be improved by increasing the light intensity moderately.
