Tests of seed germination, seed dormancy and seedling growth were performed on 0-, 6-, 20- and 30-months-old seed lots of Festulolium in comparison with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis). Tests were performed on seeds harvested in 2 different years (2014 and 2015) resulting in no major difference between the years. Seed storage affected seed viability and dormancy and seedling growth in all 3 grasses. The maximum germination of Festulolium seeds was achieved 6 months after harvest (95% normal seedlings); germination decreased significantly thereafter. While maximum germination of L. multiflorum and F. pratensis seeds was also achieved following storage for 6 months, these germination rates (93 and 90%, respectively) were retained until at least 20 months in storage. After storage for 30 months, seed germination of Festulolium, L. multiflorum and F. pratensis had declined to 72, 79 and 83%, respectively. High germination in all species was associated with higher rates of seedling growth. In an artificial seed ageing test, a temperature of 41 °C (during 48 and 72 hours) was found to effectively rank seed lots for germination performance in all 3 grasses. This test seems to have application for use in the seed trade to identify seed lots which could deteriorate more rapidly in storage. Further studies are needed to verify this hypothesis.

Efficient germination of fescue seeds is essential for successful establishment of meadows and pastures. This research was conducted to ascertain the effects of various acid and temperature treatments on seed germination in three fescue species: Festuca rubra, F. ovina, and F. pratensis. Seeds from different cultivars, populations, or lots were exposed either to four concentrations of sulfuric acid at three different time intervals (12 treatments) or six different temperatures at three different time intervals (18 treatments). Despite all belonging to the genus Festuca, the seed from different species responded differently to the treatments. The three optimum treatments for F. rubra seed involved soaking in a 75% solution of sulfuric acid for 20 minutes (improved the germination rate by 19%), soaking in a 50% solution of sulfuric acid for 30 minutes (improved the germination rate by 18%) and exposure to either 60°C or 70°C for 90 minutes (improved the germination rate by 17%). For F. ovina seed, optimal treatments included soaking seeds for either 10 or 20 minutes in a 50% sulfuric acid solution (both treatments improved germination rates by 13%) or exposing seeds for 30 minutes in a 25% sulfuric acid solution and 80°C for 60 minutes (improved germination rate by 12%). Two optimal treatments were identified for F. pratensis seed. Whereas the first involved soaking the seeds in a 75% sulfuric acid solution for 30 minutes (improved germination rates by 22%), the second involved either exposing the seeds to 90°C for 90 or 60 minutes, or exposing the seeds to 80°C for 90 minutes (improved germination rate by 21%). Our findings indicate that if fescue seed is to be sown during the autumn (two to three months after seed collecting), treating it with acid and temperature can significantly enhance its germination.

In addition to normal seeds, hard seeds of alfalfa have often been found after harvest. Such seeds prevent the penetration of water and gases into the seed interior, causing the reduction in germination. They do not tend to germinate even under ideal laboratory or field conditions, or they exhibit late germination. Consequently, they are of no relevance to planting crops. A decrease in the amount of hard seeds and an increase in germination can be achieved by scarification of acids, physical damage to the seed coat, hot water, cooling, etc. Temperature treatment scarification prior to sowing is a simple and inexpensive solution, safe for humans and the environment. The tests were carried out on three alfalfa cultivars: 'Medijana', 'Banat' and 'Zaječarska 83'. Their seeds were exposed to temperatures of 70 o C (for 10, 30, 60 and 90 minutes), 80 o C (for 10, 30, 60 and 90 minutes) and 90 o C (for 10, 30, 60 and 90 minutes). After the treatment under laboratory conditions, the germination rate and the share of hard/dormant seeds were investigated. The results obtained indicate that the increase in germination can be significant (p ≥ 0.05) provided temperature seed treatments are applied. Furthermore, the optimal temperature treatment was found to be essentially dependent on the specific alfalfa cultivar.

Timothy grass is a fodder grass mostly grown as a pure stand or in mixed stands with fodder legumes at higher elevations. It is cultivated for its high yields and the supreme quality of roughage containing Timothy grass. There are different methods for preserving the seed quality of fodder grasses relative to the following parameters: species, variety, harvest methods, postharvest treatments, as well as the storage temperature and air humidity. Poor seed germination is often caused by the presence of dormant seeds which fail to germinate despite ideal conditions in the field or laboratory. After a certain storage period, dormant seeds start germinating, but prolonged storage periods result in seed aging which is associated with reductions in seed germination, seedling growth and the total mass of the root system. The seed quality features of four Timothy grass seed lots (the 'Foka' cultivar), at ages of 3, 15 and 27 months, were examined in this study according to the share of dormant, germinated and dead seeds, as well as abnormal seedlings. Upon assessing seed germination, the stem length (cm), radicle length (cm) and fresh weight (g) of seedlings were measured. Different seed lots were found to exert no effect on the seed quality parameters examined and the growth of seedlings. Conversely, the seed age had a significant impact (P<0.001 to P<0.05) on the seed quality parameters examined and the seedling growth.

The objective of this study was to investigate the changes that take place in nutrient values of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cv K-27 at different stages of growth in the second and the third cut. The samples from different stages of growth: mid-bud stage, around 60% flowering and full flowering were investigated for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), digestible dry matter (DDM), dry matter intake (DMI), relative feed value (RFV), total digestible nutrients (TDN), net energy-lactation (NEl), net energy-maintenance (NEm) and net energy-gain (NEg) content. Higher content of crude protein was found in the third cut (262.1 g kg-1 of DM) than in the second cut (260.8 g kg-1 of DM) in the first stage of development. TDN, DDM, DMI, RFV, NEl, NEm and NEg were calculated according to the appropriate equations adapted from common formulas for forages. The stage of plant development has a significant influence on the chemical composition and the relative feed value of red clover. The achieved results show that adequate maturity stage for cutting might be at mid-bloom stage, when crude protein content, NEl, NEm and NEg content are high.