ABSTRACT
Summary The recent reintroduction of native prairie warm-season grasses for livestock forage in the Corn Belt presents seed-handling problems with some species. Seeding big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans [L.] Nash) through commonly available seeding equipment is difficult with seed from commercial sources. Commercial seed contains significant amounts of leaf and stem particles as well as awns and other appendages still attached to the seed. These seed appendages and inert matter prevent an even flow of seed through the seeding equipment. Specially designed rangeland drills handle the seed rather well, but the limited use of this equipment makes buying it difficult to justify. Our objective was to improve seed quality and thereby increase the acceptability and use of big bluestem and indiangrass in pasture forage systems in the Corn Belt. Seed from the combine was placed in a fresh-air bin dryer, which reduced seed moisture to levels adequate for storage in 2 to 3 days. The dried bulk material was processed through a debearder and then through a 3-screen seed cleaner to separate clean seed from the other plant material. The mixing action of the debearder rubs or breaks off awns and other seed appendages and increases separation of seed from other plant parts in the seed cleaner. Debearding and cleaning seed improved both purity and germination. Field planting of debearded seed was successful with grain drills, gravity and broadcast seeders, and rangeland grass drills. As debearded seed in storage maintained its viability up to 3 years, increased processing apparently caused no seed damage. Development of a commercial supply of debearded big bluestem and indiangrass seed that can be planted with commonly used equipment should greatly enhance acceptability and use of these species in pasture forage systems in the Corn Belt.
