2018 ASHS Annual Conference

Sporobolus heterolepis, prairie dropseed, is a warm season grass native to upland, drier sites in central and northeastern U.S. An attractive bunchgrass with numerous fragrant flowers and yellow fall color, prairie dropseed should be used more in urban plantings where native grasses provide ecosystem services such as reduced runoff, minimal soil erosion and food sources for native Lepidoptera larvae. A survey of grass growers confirmed that this species often has low seed germination rates and can be a slow, difficult plant to increase with crown division. Seed quality and germination techniques were investigated using commercially available seed as well as garden and wild collected seed from locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Although historic germination research has not shown cold moist seed treatments to improve germination, some growers do use this as standard treatment for prairie dropseed. Cold moist treatments in soil or petri plates were compared to cold dry seed treatments. Seed purity, germination and tetrazolium staining varied depending on seed source, age and treatment. Cleaning, grading and pre-germination examination of seed, using fresh seed, and maintaining consistently moist conditions appear to be requirements for the highest germination of prairie dropseed.