【Objective】In order to reveal the differences in cadmium stress for different rice varieties,【Method】fifty rice varieties with different genetic background were used to analyze the effects of cadmium stress (0 mmol/L, 0.5mmol/L, 0.1 mmol/L, 0.2 mmol/L) on seed germination rate, germination index, vigor index, germ length, radicle length, germ fresh weight and germ dry weight of different rice varieties．【Result】Cd had an increased inhibition to the germination and growth of rice with the increasing cadmium concentration. 0.05 mmol/L cadmium stress had no significant impact on the germination rate and germination index, but it had a significant effect on seed vigor index and the growth of roots and shoots．The inhibitory effects of various cadmium treatments on the radicle of rice seeds were significantly greater than that on their germs. Under 0.1 mmol/L and 0.2 mmol/L cadmium stress, there are highly significant and positive correlation among indexes. Significant differences of cadmium tolerance were noted in different rice varieties.【Conclusion】According to the results of cluster analysis based on the relative value of each trait at germination stage under cadmium stress, the 50 rice varieties were divided into three types: sensitive,intermediate and tolerant．