Longevity and Dormancy in Seeds of Several Cool‐Season Grasses and Legumes Buried in Soil1

Abstract

Nine kinds of crop seeds were buried in the field at 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, 5‐, and 7‐inch depths in Saran mesh bags to determine seed longevity and dormancy. Generally, persistence and viability were lowest at the 1‐inch depth and increased with depth, with differential longevity among species. Seeds of perennial ryegrass declined in viability most rapidly; orchardgrass and chewings fescue lost their viability after three winters; Highland bentgrass and Oregon annual ryegrass retained considerable viability; and red clover was highest in viability.