Laboratory germination and seed vigor of species and varieties of the genus Pennisetum Rich

Relevance . In the harsh continental climate of the south of the Amur region, many species/ cultivars of ornamental grasses do not have time to go through all phenological phases of development. Seed propagation of cereals is difficult. Growing plants from seeds of your own reproduction allows you to obtain plants that are more adapted to local growing conditions. We were the first to study the quality of seeds of species and cultivars of the genus Pennisetum Rich., introduced in the south of the Amur region. Materials and methods . The material for the study was seeds of Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov ., P. villosum R.Br. ex Fresen . and 6 cultivars of P. glaucum R.Br . 2020–2023 years. The initial introduction material was obtained from Russian online stores and through exchange with foreign botanical gardens. Seeds of own reproduction were collected in 2021–2023. On the basis of the UNI “Collection of plant genetic resources of the AB BGI FEB RAS” from July to September. Germination energy and seed germination according to the recommendations of M.M. Ishmuratova and K.G. Tkachenko (2009) and GOST 12038-84. Weight of 1000 seeds according to GOST 12042-80. Results and conclusions . P. setaceum had a high germination rate over four years of research. The highest germination rates for P. villosum seeds were noted in 2021–2022. P. glaucum varieties are characterized by opposite indicators of laboratory germination and high variability of the weight of 1000 seeds over the years, which shows the dependence of varieties on fluctuations in weather conditions.