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The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Sorghastrum (nutans)

Carol and Jerry Baskin
Professors
University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0225
seedlings.uidaho.com

Family Scientific Name: Poaceae
Family Common Name: Grass family
Scientific Name: Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash
Common Name: Indian grass
Species Code: SORNUT
General Distribution: S. nutans is a widespread North American species found in open woodlands and prairies.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Time To Grow: 0
Propagule Processing: Seeds are non dormant.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Germination occurs at 30D/20N C alternating temperature cycle.
Germination was greater in light than dark.
Cold moist stratification for 4 days at 28/18 alternating temperature cylce resulted in germination.
Dry storage of seeds resulted in 44% germination.
Mechanical injury of caryopsis resulted in 84% germination.
Pretreatment with gibbrellic acid reulted in 25% germination.
References: Hsu, F. H., Nelson, C. J. and Matches, A. G. (1985). Temperature effects on germination of perennial warm-season forage grasses. Crop Sci. 25, 215-220.
Emal, J. G. and Conard, E. C. (1973). Seed dormancy and germination in Indiangrass as affected by light, chilling, and certain chemical treatments. Agron. J. 65, 383-385.
Coukos, C. J. (1944). Seed dormancy and germination in some native grasses. Agron. J. 36, 337-345.
Sautter, E. H. (1962). Germination of switchgrass. J. Range Manage. 15, 108-110.
Zhang, J. and Maun, M. A. (1989). Seed dormancy of Panicum virgatum L. on the shoreline sand dunes of Lake Erie. Amer. Midl. Nat. 122, 77-87.
Svedarsky, D. and Kucera, C. L. (1970). Effects of gibberellic acid and post-harvest age on germination of prairie grasses. Iowa St. J. Sci. 44, 513-518.
In: Baskin, C.J. and Baskin, J.M. Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography and Evolution in Dormancy and Germination, Academic Press, 1998. Chapter 10: A Geographical Perspective on Germination Ecology: Temperate and Arctic Zones, pages 331 to458.

Citation:

Baskin, Jerry M.; Baskin, Carol C.. 2002. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash plants University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/01). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.