Native pastures constitute the feed basis for livestock in Southern Brazil. These natural grazing fields are constituted mainly by summer species, paralyzing their growth and loosing quality in the autumn-winter period. This factor causes high economic losses to the livestock producers. Bromus auleticus is a temperate climate perennial grass, whose contribution to forage occurs at a time of crucial feeding needs of the herds. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the yield components and the quality of B. auleticus seeds according to the chronological order of reproductive tiller development. Thirty representative plants were selected and their tillers were labeled according to the chronological order of differentiation and elongation. Harvesting was done at the time of full maturation of each tiller, generally 30 days after maximum anthesis. The chronological order of tiller development determined the yield of Bromus auleticus seeds. Seed yield of B. auleticus was similar in the first, second and third tillers which developed in a plant, being responsible for about 75% of the yield. These reproductive tillers were taller and had more seeds per panicle, heavier and higher germinating seeds, and had less seed dormancy than the other tillers on the same plant.
winter pasture; native; dormancy
