Germination and propagation of sweetgrass ( <i>Anthoxanthum nitens</i> (Weber) Y. Schouten &amp; Veldkamp [Poaceae]) for growing in Mi’kmaq community gardens

<h3>Abstract</h3> Sweetgrass (<i>Anthoxanthum nitens</i> (Weber) Y. Schouten &amp; Veldkamp [Poaceae]) is valued both ecologically and culturally by Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous groups. However, Mi’kmaq communities and organizations have expressed concern about sweetgrass becoming difficult for people to access due to loss of traditional knowledge, habitat degradation, climate change, and overharvesting. To help improve access and availability of sweetgrass, we assessed the viability and practicality of germinating native sweetgrass seeds for propagation and cultivation within Mi’kmaq communities with their guidance. To address our goal, we tested 1) seed storage length and temperature; 2) addition of biological additives to enhance germination; 3) methods for seed dormancy; and 4) the efficacy of outplanting seedlings into community gardens. We increased germination success up to 46% by removing seed coverings (bracts) and then soaking the seeds in water. Cold temperature storage, biological additives, and growth enhancers did not improve germination. As we learned through discussions with community members, leaf blade height, number of leaves, reproducibility, and scent are important sweetgrass characteristics for braiding and basketmaking. Bone and blood meal organic fertilizer (7-5-0) increased rhizome development for more plant growth, synthetic fertilizer (20-20-20) resulted in taller leaves, and both fertilizers increased the number of leaves. After one growing season, mature leaves from germinated sweetgrass in raised garden beds had similar or greater coumarin (scent) as their wild counterparts. Our work was the first study of sweetgrass propagation in collaboration with Mi’kmaq communities and serves to encourage the leadership of Indigenous communities to pursue sustainable and culturally respectful propagation of traditional medicines.