The effect of awns on seed yield and germination characteristics in Elymus nutans Griseb.

Background Awns are recognized as a significant inflorescence feature of numerous Poaceae species, drawing considerable interest due to their influence on seed dispersal, photosynthesis, transpiration, and overall yield. The awn length trait within the Elymus nutans Griseb. germplasm resources exhibit a diverse array of phenotypic variations. However, the precise influence of awns on seed yield‐related traits remains unclear in E. nutans . Methods To assess the influence of awns on E. nutans seed yield and germination properties, the current study conducted an analysis of awn excision across 10 E. nutans germplasm accessions with varying awn lengths. Over a 3‐year field study, the seed yield and germination properties of 10 E. nutans accessions were assessed, awned and de‐awned. Results Overall, the removal of awns did not reduce seed yield per plant. Although de‐awned plants produced more seeds per inflorescence, they exhibited a lower thousand‐seed weight. The removal of awns noticeably enhanced the average seed breaking tensile strength (BTS), thereby reducing seed shattering. There was a significant negative correlation observed between awn length and both germination rate and germination index. Furthermore, this study found a negative interaction between seed traits and seed germination. Conclusions Awn length is an important trait influencing forage seed yield components and germination characteristics. These findings provide valuable insights into breeders, seed producers, and researchers seeking to enhance seed production efficiency in E. nutans .