Quality of Forage Natural Grass Seeds of the Semi-Arid of Southern Coahuila, Mexico
Abstract
Semi-arid grasslands in Mexico are characterized by irregular and scarce rainfall, which negatively impacts forage plants and seed quality, which is crucial for the long-term establishment of forage species in pastures. This study aimed to determine the physical and physiological quality of the diaspores and caryopses of eight forage grass species (native and introduced) found in grazing areas in southern Coahuila, Mexico. The caryopses were obtained by manual rubbing using a mat and a rubber pad. Physical quality variables were evaluated, including purity percentage, thousand-seed weight, test weight, and caryopsis morphometry, as well as physiological quality in terms of germination, vigor, and viability. It was found that the introduced species Sorghum halepense and Pennisetum ciliare exhibited the highest thousand-seed weight values in diaspores, as well as the largest caryopsis size (p≤0.05). Regarding physiological quality, the native species Panicum obtusum recorded the highest germination (80% in caryopses), while Pennisetum ciliare showed the highest viability (84%). S. halepense exhibited the greatest vigor, with a plumule length of 113.78 mm in diaspores. The native species Bouteloua barbata and Eragrostis lehmanniana showed zero germination. It is concluded that introduced species stand out for their ability to adapt to harsh environments, which makes them valuable for restoration, conservation, and rangeland rehabilitation schemes. However, native species remain invaluable for maintaining the ecological balance of these areas.
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