Stand Establishment of Certain Perennial Grasses in Relation to Rate and Date of Planting

Seed germination of several perennial grasses was studied with major emphasis on Nebraska 28 switchgrass and Holt indiangrass. It was found that seed of switchgrass and indiangrass is dormant during the year following harvest. Holt indiangrass seed was dormant over a prolonged period of time. Prechilling dormant seed of these grasses was effective in breaking seed dormancy. Four weeks of prechilling was usually best for breaking seed dormancy in switchgrass, while six weeks of prechilling was best for breaking dormancy in indiangrass seed. Seed of other grasses was germinated to provide information for figuring seeding rates. The effects of rate and date of planting on stand establishment of several warm-season and cool-season grasses over a 33 month period are described. The grasses included Nebraska 28 switchgass, Holt indiangrass, Trailway side-oats grama, two strains of tall wheatgrass, Nebraska 50 intermediate wheatgrass and Lyon smooth bromegrass. All plantings were made at the Agronomy Farm, Lincoln, Nebraska, on Sharpsburg silty clay loam soil. Advisor: E. C. Conar