Poa alpina L. seeds germinated best under darkness and 16/8 h cycles of 22/l5°C temperature while Agropyron latiglume L. seeds needed a 29/22°C regime and darkness for best germination. Rapid germination in both species occurred within a narrow range of temperature conditions. Light and suboptimal temperature conditions appeared to have an inhibitory effect on seed germination during the initial period of imbibition. Germination inhibition through external factors secondary dormancy) and the presence of primary dormancy in the nursery-grown seeds may be their adaptation to extremely stressful alpine environments. This and the differences among populations for seed germination in both species are encouraging for the breeding program aiming at selecting genotypes with rapid germination while maintaining adaptation to stressful environments.