Abstract: [Objective] To investigate the seed morphology, germination characteristics, and seedling growth of ten Poaceae species in the Hinggan League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. [Methods] Seeds of ten wild Poaceae species （Digitaria sanguinalis, Phleum pratense, Poa annua, Chloris virgata, Elymus sibiricus, Leymus chinensis, Agrostis gigantea, Eragrostis pilosa, Elymus dahuricus and Agropyron cristatum） collected from the grassland area of the Hinggan League were used as materials. Seed length, width, thickness, thousand grain weight, germination rate, germination potential, germination index, vigor index, radicle length, and coleoptile length were measured and compared. Correlation analysis was conducted on these traits, and the quality of the seeds from the ten Poaceae species was comprehensively evaluated using the membership function method. [Results] The seed length and thousand grain weight of Elymus dahuricus were significantly （P<0.05） higher than those of the other Poaceae species. The seed width of Digitaria sanguinalis and Elymus sibiricus was significantly （P<0.05） greater than that of the other eight species. Agropyron cristatum had the thickest seeds, significantly exceeding the other nine species, followed by Elymus sibiricus and Elymus dahuricus. Except for Leymus chinensis, seeds of the other nine species began germinating on the second day. The germination rates of Digitaria sanguinalis and Phleum pratense exceeded 50% on the second day, with cumulative germination rates reaching above 90% from day 3 to day 7. By the end of the experiment, only Eragrostis pilosa and Leymus chinensis had germination rates below 50%. The germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index of Digitaria sanguinalis and Phleum pratense were significantly （P<0.05） higher than those of the other Poaceae species. Seedlings of Digitaria sanguinalis exhibited the longest radicles, while those of Elymus dahuricus had the longest coleoptiles. Correlation analysis revealed a highly significant （P<0.01） positive correlation among germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index across the different Poaceae species. Comprehensive analysis using the membership function method indicated that the top three species in seed quality were Digitaria sanguinalis, Phleum pratense and Elymus dahuricus. [Conclusion] This comprehensive study of seed morphology, germination characteristics, and seedling growth of ten Poaceae species collected from the Hinggan League region revealed that Digitaria sanguinalis, Elymus dahuricus, and Phleum pratense exhibited superior overall performance, demonstrating potential for cultivation and promotion in this region.

Key words: Poaceae, seed morphology, germination characteristics, seedling growth, comprehensive evaluation