Seedbank diversity in grazing lands of the Northeast United States

We evaluated the species composition of soil seed banks from 9 farms (36 pa stures total) located in the northeast United States. Our objective was to quantify the soil seed bank composition of pastures managed for intensive g razing and hay production. Seeds from pasture soils were allowed to germina te in a greenhouse under natural light conditions. Seedlings were identifie d as they germinated, and the experiment was concluded after 4 months, Germ inable seed was dominated by annual (40%) and perennial (23%) forbs most of which contributed little useful forage for cattle, Perennial grasses (11%) , except for bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), were largely absent from the ger minable seed bank, while legumes (19%) were more abundant. Seed bank specie s composition showed little similarity (44%) to the existing vegetation. Ex ceptions were bluegrass, white clover (Trifolium repens L.), and common dan delion (Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wiggers). These species were abundant in both the germinable seed bank and existing vegetation on most pastures. Overall, our study suggests that seed banks in these northeast pastures su pport abundant white clover and bluegrass seed, both of which are important forages for cattle. Soil seed banks, however, will not supply a diverse as semblage of useful forages. If a manager seeks to establish diverse, mixed- species pasture, then re-seeding pastures with desired mixes may be the bes t option.